Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been linked to a surprise transfer to Manchester United after the player impressed scouts at Old Trafford last season.
What recent news regarding transfers at Man United?
Despite the current takeover crisis involving the Glazers in the background, the Red Devils and Erik ten Hag have been effective so far this summer.
Mason Mount and Andre Onana, two high-profile transfers, have already been completed; Rasmus Hojlund, a center-forward, appears likely to be the next.
Atalanta had been holding out for a cash-only deal after United made a player-plus-cash bid to them last month; however, the two clubs have finally reached an agreement on a package worth about €70 million.
Hojlund is heading on Tuesday to have a physical and complete a transfer after previously agreeing to a five-year contract with Manchester.
The most recent Man United transfer news can be found HERE.
Following the Danish international, Sofyan Amrabat of Fiorentina seems to be another potential new midfielder for United and Ten Hag. A £26 million deal is reportedly close for the 26-year-old player, whose contract with the Serie A team is coming to an end.
If the aforementioned transactions for Hojlund and Amrabat are completed, United’s summer spending will likely exceed £200 million; nevertheless, this may not be the end of the club’s business.
In a transfer round-up published on Monday, The Daily Mail examined prospective defensive additions to Old Trafford. Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice was mentioned as an alternative, but they said that Branthwaite was a surprising name on the Old Trafford radar.
“A surprising name that has been floated is Everton’s left-sided center-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who impressed scouts while on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season.”
Jarrad Branthwaite: who is he?
Branthwaite, a left-footed centre back who is 21 years old and has a career-high €10 million Transfermarkt valuation, seems to be at the top of his game. He transferred from Carlisle United to Everton in 2020 and has since made 13 senior appearances for the Toffees, scoring one.
Branthwaite has played on 36 occasions for Dutch team PSV Eindhoven during his tenure with PSV Eindhoven on loan from Blackburn Rovers in the Championship during his time on Merseyside.
The defender has been praised as a “terrific footballer” by Steven Pressley, his former Carlisle United manager, who thinks he may play for England in the future.
“I told them he will play for England in the future. Because I thought his performances had been so excellent, I never once thought about leaving him out again after giving him his debut.
“To tell the truth, I believe he has it all. With both feet, he can pass the ball almost as well. He plays fantastic football.
And there is no question that he can play for England if he keeps improving.
In the event that someone like Harry Maguire leaves amid interest from West Ham, the Red Devils may very well be in the market for a new center-back before the transfer season shuts.
Branthwaite might not be seen as a starter right away at Old Trafford, but with time, he might improve and replace one of United’s veteran defenders. Based on the way things are going, a transfer might be something to keep an eye on.
