Manchester United have reportedly launched an opening offer for Jarrad Branthwaite, with the Red Devils placing a £35m bid on the table for the Everton centre-back.
The Englishman is believed to be Man United's leading defensive target this summer, and it is thought that he has already come to an agreement with the Red Devils when it comes to personal terms.
However, a recent report claimed that the 20-time English champions will be required to pay a world-record fee for a defender for Branthwaite, as Everton value him in excess of £80m.
According to The Athletic, Man United have made an opening offer of £35m for the former Carlisle United youngster, but it is not expected to be anywhere near enough to convince the Toffees to sell.
The report claims that Sean Dyche's side deem the bid to be 'unacceptable', and the Merseyside outfit will quickly officially turn down the offer from the English giants.
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Man United 'make £35m bid for Branthwaite'
Everton are allegedly confident that Branthwaite will not push for a move, with the defender happy to remain at Goodison Park during this summer's transfer window.
The club's financial issues has reportedly made them privately open to a sale, but they are not prepared to drop their asking price, particularly at this stage of the transfer window.
Man United paid Leicester City £80m to sign Harry Maguire in the summer of 2019, and Everton allegedly feel that Branthwaite should command a similar fee due to his performances last season.
The defender impressed during a loan spell at PSV Eindhoven during the 2022-23 campaign before heading back to Goodison Park, and he made 41 appearances last term.
Branthwaite was included in England's preliminary squad for this summer's European Championship, but he was surprisingly left out of the final squad by Three Lions head coach Gareth Southgate.
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How will the situation play out?
Everton will reject the bid, as £35m is not even close to Branthwaite's valuation.
Man United will know that their opening offer will not be accepted, but it has given them a starting point in the negotiations, with the Red Devils setting the tone.
To go from £35m to £80m is difficult, but as the situation develops, it might well be that Everton accept an offer of around £55m, which is likely to be Man United's valuation of him.
The Red Devils must sign a new centre-back this summer, but Branthwaite is not their only option, and the club will not be afraid to move on to other targets if Everton are not prepared to negotiate.
Erik ten Hag, who is remaining as head coach of the Red Devils, will again be involved in summer transfers, but the negotiations, at least at this stage, are set to be led by the club's new technical director Jason Wilcox.
Matt Law
