Ratcliffe ‘determined’ to sign €96m superstar for Man Utd

Manchester United remain interested in Jarrad Branthwaite, though Everton have raised their asking price, according to a report.

One of the stories of the summer transfer window was the Red Devils’ pursuit of the Everton centre-back. Branthwaite was the first player greenlit by new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but Man Utd ultimately walked away from the deal empty-handed.

Operating on a limited budget, the Manchester giants tried to lowball Everton several times, always receiving the unequivocal response that they must meet the €80+ million asking price. In the end, nothing came of the pursuit.

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Instead of the England international, Man Utd signed Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro for north of €100m in the summer. However, the former has come under heavy fire in recent weeks and the latter has not yet made his competitive debut due to injury.

With Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford, Man Utd remain in the market for a centre-back and Branthwaite is still admired.

Ratcliffe wants Branthwaite

At least that is according to TEAMtalk, which reports that Ratcliffe is ‘determined’ to sign the 22-year-old irrespective of the future of manager Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd are ‘firmly in the mix’ for Branthwaite, but they face the problem that his price has not dropped. On the contrary, it is claimed that Everton have raised their demands to €95.7m (£80m).

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This, it is asserted, is due to the impending Friedkin takeover of the club, allowing for more financial wiggle room. Everton want to ‘attack the market’ with fresh funds while keeping hold of key players such as Branthwaite ahead of their move into the new stadium.

Nevertheless, INEOS will be seeking to strike a deal for the centre-back in the summer of 2025.