Manchester United 'hopeful of cut-price £40m deal for first Sir Jim Ratcliffe signing'

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a cut-price deal for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.

New minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has full control of football operations at Old Trafford, is set to oversee a squad overhaul ahead of the 2024-25 campaign, regardless as to whether manager Erik ten Hag stays or leaves the club.

The addition of at least one new central defender is believed to be a priority for Man United now that Raphael Varane has confirmed that he is leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract in June.

Jonny Evans is also out of contract next month, while there is still uncertainty over the long-term futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Ratcliffe is understood to have already identified a number of players that he wishes to target in the summer transfer window, and one of those is thought to be Everton star Branthwaite.

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Man United in pole position to sign Branthwaite

According to The Sun, Ratcliffe is in pole position to make Branthwaite his first signing at Man United for a cut-price £40m fee.

Branthwaite has previously been valued by Everton as high as £80m, but United believe that they can take advantage of the Toffees' financial situation by landing the highly-rated defender for just half the price.

Everton, who recorded a post-tax loss of £89.1m in March, are in desperate need of raising funds to stay afloat at a time when 777 Partners are struggling to seal the deal to purchase the club from majority owner Farhad Moshiri.

This could therefore force the club to cash in on some of their star players including Branthwaite, as well as Amadou Onana - another who has been linked with Man United - Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil in order to balance their books.

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Branthwaite a rising star for club and country

Branthwaite has established himself as one of the top young defenders in the Premier League after helping Everton avoid relegation in his breakthrough season at the club.

The 21-year-old previously had spells on loan at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, spending the 2022-23 season with the latter where he made 36 first-team appearances.

Branthwaite returned to Everton last summer and quickly cemented his place in Sean Dyche's first team, starting 41 times in all competitions and helping the Toffees keep 15 clean sheets.

The 6ft 5in centre-back, who has three years remaining on his contract at Goodison Park, is yet to earn his first senior England cap, but he has been called up to Gareth Southgate's provisional squad for Euro 2024 and is a strong contender to secure a spot in the final squad.