After impressing while on loan in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, Branthwaite has emerged as a key player for Everton and was one of the standout centre-backs in the Premier League in 2023/24 as he shone alongside James Tarkowski.
The 21-year-old was unfortunate not to be included in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man England squad for Euro 2024, but his absence allows him to focus on making a transfer decision as Man Utd push to sign him.
The Red Devils need to sign at least one new centre-back this summer as the left-footed Everton standout has reportedly been picked out as their preferred target.
Man Utd have already had a bid turned down for Branthwaite and journalist Ben Jacobs insists they “haven’t given up” on signing him.
Although Everton insist they don’t expect to lose Branthwaite and are actively planning for him to be with them next season, unless a mega offer comes in, they are braced for further interest from Manchester United after an opening bid of £35million plus add ons was rejected as unacceptable. Despite Old Trafford chiefs claiming that they won’t be ‘held to ransom’ over the 21-year-old England international, who only penned a new contract at Goodison Park last autumn which runs until 2027, and they have other irons in the fire, they remain interested and have not turned their attentions elsewhere.
For their part, the Blues maintain they will not be bullied into selling Branthwaite on the cheap with claims of a Goodison Park ‘fire sale’ this summer wide of the mark. Given the £80million fee that United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £75million Chelsea paid for Wesley Fofana in 2022 and the £77million Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol in 2023, Everton consider their breakthrough star of last season to be in the same bracket, especially given the premium for both left-footed defenders and homegrown talent.
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