According to reports, Manchester United are ‘preparing’ to make a ‘£50m offer’ to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
Branthwaite was heavily linked with the Red Devils during last year’s summer transfer window after he enjoyed a breakout season for boyhood club Everton.
Man Utd lodged a couple of bids for the centre-back, but they turned their attention to alternative targets after they were priced out of a move for the Englishman.
The Red Devils landed Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, but they could sign another new centre-back this summer after head coach Ruben Amorim introduced a 3-4-3 formation.
Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are expected to leave on a free transfer this summer, while a new report claims Amorim is ‘concerned’ about Lisandro Martinez.
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This could lead to Man Utd making a fresh attempt to sign Branthwaite, and a report from Caught Offside claims they are ‘preparing’ a summer bid.
‘Manchester United are understood to be preparing to try offering around £50m for the transfer of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
‘Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Man Utd remain keen on Branthwaite after seeing bids rejected for him last year.
‘The Red Devils ended up signing both Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt in defence, but it seems Branthwaite still remains one of their priorities.
‘The likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid are also keen on the highly-rated 22-year-old, CaughtOffside understands, so this could be a complicated saga.’
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A report from Football Transfers also claims Man Utd are in the market for a centre-back after a ‘demand’ from Amorim with Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio a potential option.
‘FootballTransfers understands that Amorim has also made it clear internally that he would like a new centre-back as well, despite Man Utd appearing well-stocked in that department.
‘We hear that Amorim remains a huge admirer of his former Sporting CP protégé Goncalo Inacio, but there have so far been no formal talks given the uncertainty over Man Utd’s sporting and financial position.
‘An initial approach is expected to be made in the coming weeks. The 23-year-old has a €60 million release clause, but there was talk of a €35m-€40m price tag when Borussia Dortmund enquired about him in January.’
