Manchester United is actively working towards reaching an early agreement with Everton for defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The club has been interested in the 21-year-old for quite some time and is now aiming to secure him as their first signing of the off-season under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS regime.
According to a reliable source, Branthwaite is the top priority for Manchester United as they seek to strengthen their defense in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are optimistic about their chances of persuading the England Under-21 international to join them, despite Everton’s financial constraints.
Club officials, led by new technical director Jason Wilcox, are reportedly planning to build their defense around Branthwaite in the future.
It is understood that the young left-sided center-back is viewed as the permanent solution to Manchester United’s defensive issues.
Branthwaite emerged as a consistent starter in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season following a productive loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last year. He has featured in 36 matches for Everton in various competitions this season, being named in the starting lineup for every single one of those games.