Sources have confirmed to HITC that Manchester United’s pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite is not over and they are working on making third bid.
United made their second offer worth £50million for Branthwaite earlier this week, but less than 24 hours after making contact with Everton – HITC is told that they were informed that it was not enough.
United’s opening bid for Branthwaite came in June, which was made after personal terms were agreed in principle with the player’s representatives.
Everton standing firm that Branthwaite valuation is similar to Gvardiol and Fofana
Everton are insistent that they are looking for a deal worth around £80million – as they believe anyone wanting their England international should be paying a similar fee to deals that saw the likes of Josko Gvardiol and Wesley Fofana.
Everton believe those deals are the precedents that are working to, as both play in the same position as Branthwaite, are similar ages and moved to Premier League clubs – Manchester City and Chelsea – in recent seasons.
Now HITC can confirm that United are preparing their third bid and talks are ongoing within Old Trafford at what level they will come in at, and Everton are expecting it to come this week.
HITC understands that Everton are frustrated by United’s approach as they believe it is being done for a reason, and that is to try and unsettle the player.
In terms of Branthwaite, sources with knowledge of the situation insist that he is trying to leave the issue with his representatives but we are told that the 22-year-old has made it clear that he would like the chance to move across Lancashire.
However, it is also believe that Branthwaite and his representatives believe Everton are due the deal they are looking for – so as it stands he won’t agitate for a move at this point.
Branthwaite remains number one United target
We understand that United have told Branthwaite that he is their number one central defensive target and interest in other players does not impact on him, after they also made a bid for Leny Yoro this week to go along with their move for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt.
United sources have told HITC that they could sign three central defenders if a deal for Yoro progressed, as their interest in him is seen as a different issue to that of Branthwaite and de Ligt.
However, their chances of landing Yoro are seen as slim at this point as the player wants to join Real Madrid. The deal for de Ligt is progressing with Bayern Munich and he is likely to become a United player in the coming weeks.
With two central defenders almost certainly coming in, United have made it clear to both Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire that they available to leave this summer.
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