Everton have ‘ACCEPTED’ transfer for Jarrad Branthwaite

Everton have opened the door to Manchester United moving for centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite again this summer.

A year ago, Man Utd hounded the Toffees to sell the centre-back, but after no deal was done, the Red Devils instead moved for Matthijs de Ligt.

The arrival of the Dutchman, though, has not solved the central defensive issues at Old Trafford, with new head coach Ruben Amorim still chasing an option for the heart of the rearguard. Indeed, it is even claimed that Man Utd had an offer for Branthwaite knocked back in January.

United have been tipped to revisit a deal for Branthwaite, who is valued at €58 million (£50m) by the Goodison Park side. Tottenham Hotspur are also interested, The Sun states.

Crucially, Everton are unlikely to provide such opposition to the centre-back leaving in the summer.

The report indicates that “senior figures at Goodison Park have already accepted that he will depart”.

Everton manager David Moyes still publicly hopes to tie down the 22-year-old, who is under contract until 2027.

Asked if Branthwaite needs to depart in order to realise his international ambitions, he said: “I would say to him – Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Joleon Lescott.

“That’s three who we brought in who went on to become internationals for England, which was a great achievement.

“Jarrad is in the position that he can easily go on and do that. I think it’s a challenge for Jarrad to pick it up and say, ‘Come on, let me show what I can do’.”

Brainthwaite to make immediate Man Utd impact

Branthwaite would immediately become a key player at Man Utd, according to SciSports, which places him in the top three current Old Trafford stars, notably behind Bruno Fernandes.

The data analytics company indicates that Branthwaite is capable of being a mainstay of the team for years ahead.

In terms of potential, SciSports suggests that the centre-back can remain up there with United’s very best players, although it does suggest Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo can all ultimately surpass him.

There is no doubt that even at €58m, there is some element of risk to a deal for Man Utd.

Branthwaite’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at just €32.9m, suggesting the premium to sign the centre-back remains very significant.