TRANSFER: Jarrad Branthwaite move to Man United latest news as new bid plus add-ons is rejected

In order to secure one of their most sought-after summer transfer targets, Manchester United must make some progress. Reports indicate that Everton’s defender Jarrad Branthwaite has rejected a £50 million offer from the Red Devils.

After an outstanding 2023/24 campaign for the Toffees, in which he assisted in preventing relegation from the top flight, Erik ten Hag’s team has intensified their pursuit of the 22-year-old centre-back, who has been on the 13-time Premier League champions’ radar for some time.

United submitted an offer of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for Branthwaite on Monday, following an initial proposal of £35m in June. Nevertheless, Everton promptly rejected the new proposal, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

Branthwaite is purportedly valued at approximately £70 million by the Merseyside organisation. That is twice the current valuation of the six-foot-four enforcer on Transfermarkt, who won the Young Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards at Goodison Park last season.

It is yet to be determined whether Manchester United will implement an enhanced strategy for the former Carlisle United youth. It seems that the Red Devils have other targets in mind, as Bayern Munich and Netherlands sensation Matthijs de Ligt are being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Branthwaite has appeared in 54 first-team matches since joining Everton from Carlisle at the age of 17, with 45 of those matches taking place in the Premier League. He has scored four goals in all competitions and is a formidable aerial threat from set-pieces.

The 2023 European Under-21 Championship victor was viewed by many as unlucky not to be included in Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for Euro 2024, despite being captained by England for the first time in a June friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, FourFourTwo does not anticipate that he will delay in adding to his total, particularly if he decides to elevate his career by joining Manchester United.