Manchester United are expected to make a Jarrad Branthwaite transfer proposal their early priority this summer, as they begin looking into a two-tiered signing system to help fix their defensive problems.
Jarrad Branthwaite Transfer Exclusive
Manchester United have been ravaged by injuries at the back this season and are facing up to an overhaul in defence when we get to the summer transfer market.
Rafael Varane is set to depart in the summer, and there is doubt about the stability of the back line depth too with concern over Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans, along with Lisandro Martinez’s worrying injury record.
Early understandings suggest United are trying to take a careful but long-term approach to replacements.
It likely means they will enter the market to sign a premium-priced defender, but will also seek to level that out with another purchase for a lesser-known emerging talent.
We already reported United’s interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite back in January, who has long been highlighted as a target for the summer window. SportsLens sources close to the situation have indicated he is high on the list of players they are interested in.
United are expected to test the water at the end of the season in order to make early progress on signings, and Branthwaite is a player that could very much come into that category.
He is currently thought to be ahead of Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, though both those players have been checked out too.
Branthwaite would be a top-end signing for United with Everton likely to set his valuation at around £70million.
It is understood United are also shopping for cheaper options and hope to uncover a highly talented youngster to add to their defensive roster.
It is believed United have scouts working hard on the South American market for such possibilities, but have also made checks in France, Belgium and Holland.
Depending on which players leave from the defence, it is also possible United look into free transfer options – which is why Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo has been mentioned as a target recently.
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