United have agreed personal terms for defender but low-balled club with £35 million bid – reports

Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. This broke on Thursday evening and has started to develop since then. United were said to be interested in the central defender this summer. A major positive for United.

This was strengthened with the fact that the 21-year-old was not selected for the England squad ahead of the European Champions in Germany, which commence later today. Everton are likely to demand a huge fee for the defender, who clearly wants to develop his career at a better club.

David Ornstein has reported that United have made a bid following agreeing personal terms with the defender with the journalist stating that the bid was just £35 million, which has been deemed unacceptable and will be rejected in due course. This problem needs addressing at United.

Everton feel that Branthwaite is happy at the club and they would need a considerably higher offer for them to part ways with the 21-year-old this summer. Other reports suggest that United agreed personal terms with the player before the transfer window opened, which was today.

Everton reportedly value Branthwaite at £70 million, which is a massive fee for United, who do not have the availability of funds like they once did in the transfer market. For years, United, led by the Glazers, have wasted money on big name players which have not worked out.

This resulted in the club having a massive wage bill which has seemingly forced Sir Jim Ratcliffe to make some changes at the club, many of them replacing staff with footballing met at boardroom level and changing the way transfers are done, including no players over the age of 25.

Branthwaite, born in Carlisle, Cumbria almost 22 years ago has played for Carlisle United and Everton with loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven during his career. During the 2023/24 season, the 21-year-old made 41 appearances scoring three goals.

United will be keen to get a player signed this summer, despite the international transfer window not opening until the 1st July 2024, which is normally the date that new contracts commence with footballers. I am sure the club will rectify their offer and aim to sign Branthwaite soon.

Written by Paul