Man Utd are not giving up! Everton braced for second bid from Red Devils for Jarrad Branthwaite but Toffees continue to hold out for £70m

The Red Devils have identified the English centre-back as a prime target to shore up their defence and had submitted an initial £43 million offer for his services, including add-ons. However, the bid was swiftly rejected by the Toffees as they believe that their prized asset could help them extract a higher transfer fee.

According to the Daily Mail, United are reluctant to give up on their pursuit and are readying an improved off as Everton remain steadfast in their £70 million ($89 million) valuation of Branthwaite. The Merseyside club allegedly believe that a fee closer to the £80 million that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire is a fair reflection of Branthwaite’s worth and are using that as a benchmark while negotiating.

Branthwaite was awarded the club's Young Player of the Season following a breakout season at Goodison Park. They value the player highly and are well aware of the financial benefits that his sale could bring. They have struggled to comply with the Premier League's PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) and a transfer could provide the much-needed relief. Despite this, Everton are not in a rush to sell and remains firm on their £70 million asking price, betting on either United or another club meeting their demands.

Securing top defensive talents like Branthwaite aligns with Ten Hag’s strategy to create a robust and resilient squad capable of competing at the highest levels. After the departure of Raphael Varane, the United backline needs reinforcement and Branthwaite’s youth, coupled with his experience in the Premier League, makes him an ideal candidate for Ten Hag’s long-term plans.