Manchester United are reportedly on the verge of finalizing the transfer of Everton center-back Jarrad Branthwaite in the coming days, as indicated by a reliable source.
Branthwaite has been a primary target for Manchester United for several months, but the transfer process is now expected to accelerate. According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton is likely to struggle to retain the 21-year-old defender.
The report suggests that officials at Old Trafford are confident that the deal will be sealed before June 30.
It has been suggested that Everton needs to make substantial sales by the end of the month to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
However, the Liverpool Echo points out another reason for the urgency. Branthwaite’s exclusion from England’s Euro 2024 squad has apparently given Manchester United a chance to expedite the transfer.
Despite their financial troubles, Everton is demanding a significant fee for Branthwaite. Reports indicate they value him similarly to Harry Maguire, who transferred from Leicester City to Manchester United in 2019.
The Liverpool Echo also notes that Everton insiders maintain that any sale from Sean Dyche’s squad will only occur if the purchasing club meets their valuation and the player wishes to leave.
Branthwaite, who is contracted with Everton until 2027, is considered to have a premium value due to being English and left-footed.
However, Manchester United has an advantage in these negotiations due to Everton’s financial predicament.
Last season, Everton faced a relegation battle partly due to points deductions from PSR breaches, and another similar situation this season could result in their relegation to the Championship for the first time.
Given the complexities of this deal, predicting Branthwaite’s exact transfer fee is challenging. The Manchester United target has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €26.2 million (£22.2 million), a figure that has risen significantly since the start of the season.
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