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Given Lisandro Martinez will not be back in action before next year, Manchester United are contemplating whether to strengthen at the back.
Both Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are expected to depart once their contracts come to an end while there is uncertainty surrounding Harry Maguire’s future as well.
The left-sided centre-back position is something INEOS have been looking at for a while with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite catching their attention.
The co-owners tried hard to sign the Englishman last summer only to see the Toffees reject both their bids while slapping a £75 million price tag on the defender’s head.
Jarrad interest remains
Links have resurfaced again with the England international open to leaving Goodison Park for a team in the Champions League as he seeks to make a comeback into the national team.
David Moyes has held firm and the Merseyside outfit do not want to let go of the defensive “monster” on the cheap and as per The Daily Mail, the Red Devils will also not over exert themselves for Branthwaite.
The management are delighted with how Ayden Heaven has performed since his January move from Arsenal while Leny Yoro has also impressed in Martinez’s absence.
Both defenders are currently out injured but could be set for a return to action ahead of the league game against Nottingham Forest on April 1.
While Yoro was a big-money purchase, the ex-Arsenal starlet arrived for only £1 million, with INEOS keen to find more value in the market given the current financial reality around Old Trafford.
Priorities have changed
“United have a long-standing interest in the Everton centre back and failed with a £50million bid last summer. But it’s understood there has been no contact with Branthwaite’s camp for some time as the 22-year-old weighs up his options for the summer.
“Branthwaite is open to leaving Everton after being told by new England boss Thomas Tuchel that a lack of experience playing in Europe was one of the reasons he was left out of the German’s first squad, and instead featured for the Under 21s against Portugal and France in the international break.
“Manchester City and Liverpool have an interest in Branthwaite who is likely to put Champions League football high on his list of criteria. United’s only hope of rejoining Europe’s elite would be to win the Europa League.
“While he is still admired inside Old Trafford, the club’s priorities may also have altered after signing Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven since Everton rejected United’s offer in July and demanded around £75m.”
Given Ruben Amorim’s urgent need for a striker, midfielder and wingback, spending such an exorbitant amount on a centre-back makes very little sense.
Feature image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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