Manchester United are reportedly prepared to submit a third bid worth £60m for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite.
The 22-year-old spent the 2022-23 term on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, for whom the centre-back established himself as a senior starter for the first time in his career.
Returning from the Eredivisie last summer, Branthwaite enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Premier League as Everton battled against Profit and Sustainability punishments to avoid relegation.
The former Blackburn Rovers loanee played and started 35 top-flight matches for Sean Dyche's side, making the net ripple on three occasions from defence.
Branthwaite's performances for the Merseyside club were enough to see him selected in Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, although the youngster did not make the plane.
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Man United reignite Branthwaite pursuit?
According to Football Insider, Manchester United have not given up on the summer signing of Everton star Branthwaite, despite the window approaching its final fortnight.
The report states that the Red Devils have reopened talks with the Toffees over a possible deal to bring the 22-year-old to the Theatre of Dreams.
It is believed that Erik ten Hag's side will submit an offer worth £60m this week, a fee which is said to include performance-related add-ons.
Man United have already seen two bids for Branthwaite snubbed by Everton this summer, with offers worth £35m and £50m swiftly rejected by Dyche's men.
The Toffees are said to value the England international at £80m, although it remains to be seen whether they will stand firm at that asking price as the transfer deadline draws nearer.
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Three new centre-backs for Man United?
After an underwhelming 2023 summer window, Man United are making serious efforts to ensure that they improve on an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
Beating the likes of Real Madrid in a transfer race, the Red Devils secured the signature of 18-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro from Lille.
Ten Hag's side are also closing in on the capture of Bayern Munich defender Matthijs De Ligt, who is said to have completed a medical at United's Carrington training ground on Monday.
The arrival of Branthwaite would be the club's third centre-back acquisition of the summer, throwing the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire at Old Trafford into serious doubt.
Carter White
