Manchester United are in advanced talks with Everton over the acquisition of their centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite, with a potential move expected in the summer transfer window.
The club has reached an agreement on personal terms with Branthwaite, but the finalization of the deal hinges on a mutually agreeable transfer fee.
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Everton is seeking a fee of £70 million for the 21-year-old England international, who has been a standout performer since his debut in the first team.
With 54 appearances under his belt, Branthwaite has caught the eye of United’s new technical director, Jason Wilcox, who is believed to have facilitated the agreement on personal terms due to his connection with Branthwaite’s agent, David Reeves.
Ashley Young, a seasoned player at Everton, has expressed confidence in Branthwaite’s abilities and believes he is ready for the challenge at Manchester United should the transfer materialize.
Asked if a move to Man United would represent too big a step for Branthwaite at this stage of his career, ex-United player Young told talkSPORT: ‘I wouldn’t say so, no. Not at all.
‘I think he’s ready for the step up. Obviously there’s interest from other clubs that are finishing in the top half of the table.
‘Rightly so because I know what kind of player he is, where he can get to. I can see him, if it’s not with us at Everton, taking us further, then with a team that’s maybe offering him Champions League football.
‘He’s definitely a player that can go and play in the Champions League and play in the big tournaments.’
Not everyone is happy with United’s plan to get a deal done for Branthwaite with ex-Red Devil Jonathan Spector feeling they should be aiming higher.
‘I haven’t seen a lot of Jarrad, but in the games I’ve seen him play, he’s done well,’ Spector said, speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk via BetUS, the home of American odds.
‘There is perhaps a level of comfort with a player that you see week-in week-out in the Premier League and knowing what he’s about, however I would say maybe United can aim a little higher in terms of the players that they are looking to bring in.’
Jamie Carragher has voiced his opinion that Gareth Southgate may have erred in omitting Jarrad Branthwaite from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Despite being included in the initial 33-man provisional list, Branthwaite was not selected for the final 26-man squad.
‘Lots of bigger names than Jarrad Branthwaite have missed out on the England squad, but he should’ve been picked to go to Euro 2024,’ Carragher said. ‘He’s England’s present [and] future.’
