Jarrad Branthwaite stance on transfer from Everton to Manchester United, second bid expected

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Manchester United have seen their opening offer for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite rejected.

We have previously reported that Manchester United have reached an agreement on personal terms with Jarrad Branthwaite, with the club preparing to approach Everton.

United are understood to have made their initial move for Branthwaite earlier this week having already made a breakthrough by agreeing personal terms in principle with the England defender.

A new defender is high on United’s list of priorities this summer following Raphael Varane’s exit from Old Trafford. Branthwaite is one of the key names on the list for the Red Devils.

Everton respond to Man United’s £35 million offer

Everton have had little appetite to sell the English defender but there is an acceptance from those at Goodison Park that they could not refute an offer that matches their valuation.

HITC have previously reported that the Toffees are demanding around £80 million to sell the Englishman to the Red Devils this summer.

Everton chiefs point to recent deals for Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol and Wesley Fofana, who joined Chelsea, and they do not believe their stance on Branthwaite is outlandish in anyway – indeed they are far from happy with United’s opening offer, which they have made clear is way off.

United’s opening bid was worth in excess of £40m but that included bonuses with just £35m as the initial fee for the defender.

Everton keen on selling £50 million ace instead of Branthwaite

We have previously reported that Everton would prefer to sell midfielder Amadou Onana this summer with the Merseyside club demanding £50 million for the Belgian.

Crucially for the Toffees, Branthwaite is not looking to agitate for a move away from Sean Dyche’s side at this point in time.

For United, Branthwaite isn’t the only defender that the club want to bring in with sources confirming that the Red Devils are keen on bringing in another centre-back alongside the Englishman.

The Red Devils are set to bid again for the defender but club sources have stressed that they have other options if a deal doesn’t materialise.

United are open to selling Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof this summer as they target a second name for their back line.