Everton makes ‘new bid’ for Jarrad Branthwaite as Manchester United receives final transfer verdict.

Manchester United is still interested in Jarrad Branthwaite, but Everton are ready to end their ambitions of signing the centre-back, according to sources.

The once-capped England international has been a key target for Manchester United for much of the summer, and he has signed personal terms to join the club.

According to reports, Branthwaite verbally accepted a £160,000-per-week contract from Manchester United, which is much higher than his present weekly salary of £40,000.

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Despite this, the defender has never attempted to force a move since he is content at Goodison Park and does not want to jeopardise his relationship with the Toffees.

Everton has long stated that they will only accept a price of more than £70 million for the 22-year-old, citing the £80 million cost Man United paid for Harry Maguire and the £75 million transaction that saw Wesley Fofana join Chelsea as grounds for their valuation.

Early in the window, it was suggested that the Toffees might be compelled to sell Branthwaite for a low fee in order to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability criteria (PSR).

However, the departures of Lewis Dobbin, Ben Godfrey, and now Amadou Onana for a total £70 million have alleviated those fears, and Everton are currently under no need to sell anyone.

Everton are preparing to offer Branthwaite a significantly better deal as compensation for missing out on a big-money move to Manchester United, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

“Everton are preparing new contract proposal for Jarrad Branthwaite after rejecting two proposals from Manchester United,” Romano wrote on Twitter.

“The club is determined to keep Branthwaite unless a major deal arises, but Manchester United has no intention of paying £75/80 million.

“New deal proposal to be sent this summer.”

Branthwaite is an important part of Sean Dyche’s team, as he helped Everton have the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League last season, as well as the second-most clean sheets.

Manchester United have already recruited one new centre-back this season, Leny Yoro, for a £52 million fee from Lille, but rumours claim sporting director Dan Ashworth is looking for another.

Matthijs de Ligt, the Bayern Munich star, is still an option for the Red Devils. Uli Hoeness, the German club’s executive, said on Monday that a defender could still go. De Ligt is Dutch, and the coach of Manchester United is Dutch.”

According to reports, Ashworth is still ‘determined’ to sign De Ligt, but Bayern would not let him leave cheaply.

They will not move from their £42 assessment of the player. De Ligt hopes to reunite with Erik ten Hag, his former manager at Ajax.

For the time being, Manchester United is focused on completing a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.