Man United hold urgent new Jarrad Branthwaite talks after Everton deal refused
Man United have made the signing of Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite a priority for the January transfer window, The Daily Mail have reported.
The Old Trafford club submitted multiple bids to sign the 22-year-old in the summer transfer window, and although no deal could be completed he has since turned down the offer of a new deal at Goodison Park.
It is now thought that the Everton star will again be a priority for the Red Devils when the market reopens.
Indeed, figures at Man United have apparently stressed an urgency to get a deal done, due to interest in Branthwaite from elsewhere.
However, there is a concern about how they will fund a move, with an expectation new head coach Ruben Amorim will be given a smaller budget to work with.
Harry Maguire and Antony – who is facing a particularly uncertain future – have been named as players who could be sold in order to generate finances for this move.
Man United must move quickly to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton
Football Insider Opinion
It does seem important that United do what they can to get the signing of the Toffees defender completed in January.
Centre-back options have been an issue for the Old Trafford club this season, and that could be exacerbated with Maguire, Johnny Evans and Victor Lindelof out of contract in the summer.
The need for options in that area may be further enhanced by the fact it looks as though Amorim will be playing with three at the back for Man United now he is in charge.
Bringing in Branthwaite would help to address those issues in defence with a player who has stood out in the Premier League for a struggling Everton side.
Since the Mail indicate that the 22-year-old has turned down a new contract offer with the Toffees since the summer window it would suggest he is ready to depart if given the right opportunity.
That could also encourage other teams to move for him soon, which would put more pressure on those at Old Trafford in the race to sign the centre-back.
As a result, finding a way to fund a move for Branthwaite in January feels like it ought to be something of a priority for Man United right now.
In other news, Jurgen Klopp previously wanted to sign a current Man United player for Liverpool.
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