Everton star who Man United tried to sign could be available for cut-price ‘£70m’ in January
Manchester United may have cost themselves millions of pounds by failing to get a deal over the line in the most recent transfer window.
The Red Devils had a busy summer, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves, Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, and Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, among others.
Ruben Amorim’s side had a slow start to the season, which left the Portuguese manager under huge sack pressure.
However, United have improved in recent weeks, and now sit seventh in the Premier League, just one point adrift of the top four.
Man United wasted opportunity by ‘low-balling’ Everton
Man United tried to sign Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite in the most recent transfer window, but weren’t willing to meet the defender’s price tag.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Amorim’s side “screwed up” their chances of securing Branthwaite last summer and could be forced to pay much more if they want to bring in the Englishman at the end of this season.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the 23-year-old could be worth around £100million next summer, if he plays a role at the World Cup.
Wyness added that Branthwaite’s current valuation sits at £70m, but Everton will not let him leave in January.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, everyone talked about Mr Branthwaite a lot during the summer, and about how Man United really screwed up their chances of getting hold of him with low-balling Everton.
“Because he’s injured right now, he’d cost about £70m if he were to go in January. I don’t think he will at all though.
“If he’s back playing by the turn of the year, gets an England call-up, which is quite possible, and does well at the World Cup as well, you’re going to be looking at £100m.
“He’s the perfect age, and that’s what centre halves are going for now, that sort of rate.”
Man United could complete Joshua Zirkzee U-turn
Meanwhile, Man United could put their faith in Joshua Zirkzee to cover for Benjamin Sesko while he is out of the team.
That is according to former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the striker could now be set for an increased role in the side.
Zirkzee is frustrated at Man United and is expected to push to leave the club in the mid-season window amid growing interest from a number of top sides.
However, after Sesko was forced off with a knee injury against Tottenham, the Dutchman may get a run of games for the Red Devils.
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