Manchester United have a long-standing interest in Jarrad Branthwaite and there is confidence that the Old Trafford target will leave Everton even if the Merseyside outfit avoid relegation from the Premier League, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Red Devils have been given a fresh cash injection thanks to Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing his purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the club last month, having gone through the process of being approved by the Football Association and Premier League after holding lengthy negotiations with the Glazer family.
Although there is ongoing doubt over whether boss Erik ten Hag has a long-term future at Manchester United as he has been tasked with qualifying for the Champions League and is due to hold talks with the board at the end of the season, plans are being put in place ahead of the summer transfer window opening for business.
Branthwaite Emerges as Standout Defensive Target
Scouts Impressed While Keeping Tabs on Premier League Centre-Backs
Manchester United are long-term admirers of Branthwaite and it is felt that he is set to embark on a fresh challenge regardless of whether current employers Everton are successful in staving off relegation to the Championship after finding themselves in another relegation dogfight, according to GMS sources.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has tasked scouts with studying central defenders in the Premier League after pinpointing the heart of the backline as a position where he wants to strengthen in the summer, and the England under-21 international has been identified as a standout contender – alongside Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi – to head to Old Trafford.
Although Branthwaite joining Manchester United is not a certainty, thanks to new members of staff in the recruitment department being brought in and Dan Ashworth’s potential arrival as sporting director being delayed due to him remaining on gardening leave at Newcastle United for now, he is set to stay on the shortlist of potential acquisitions.
Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants the current targets to align with the names on the radar of incoming board members, but scouts are expected to continue tracking the 21-year-old regardless of whether fresh possibilities arise in the coming months ahead of the summer transfer window.
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