Man United receive huge transfer boost for £70m-rated premier league star as Everton reach agreement for defender

Man United receive huge transfer boost for £70m-rated premier league star as Everton reach agreement for defender

Everton’s approach to recruit Lyon center-back Jake O’Brien has given Manchester United encouragement in their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite.

This summer, Man United has already had two bids for the 22-year-old turned down; the most recent being for almost £50 million.

Jarrad Branthwaite (photo by Getty images)

But Everton seems to be holding out for £70 million, which would make it the fourth-most expensive defender transfer ever, after Virgil van Dijk, Josko Gvardiol, and Harry Maguire. Everton wants to hold onto Branthwaite after selling Amadou Onana to Aston Villa.

After an outstanding first full season with the Toffees, in which he made 41 appearances and scored three goals, they are eager to extend an offer to him for a new deal. However, even though United signed Leny Yoro earlier this month,

And now, the Red Devils have been given somewhat of a boost that Everton might be preparing for life without Branthwaite after it was confirmed they have agreed a deal with Lyon for O’Brien, as per Fabrizio Romano. The Republic of Ireland defender has accepted an offer and is set to sign a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

Branthwaite is back in training with Everton but has not featured in any of their pre-season friendlies to date. After missing the trip to Sligo Rovers last week, Sean Dyche said: “Jarrad is making good progress as are Patto (Nathan Patterson) and Dele so we’ll see how those guys go. At this stage, it’s nothing too serious so we’re thankful for that.”

As for United, they are currently out in the United States preparing to take on Arsenal on Saturday night. The Red Devils have made a mixed start to pre-season, having lost 1-0 to Rosenborg in their opening friendly before securing a 2-0 victory over Rangers in Edinburgh last weekend.

Speaking after the game against Rangers, Ten Hag said: “Pre-season is friendlies and I want to win every game so I was very disappointed on (last) Monday, especially with the performance.

“That is even more important in pre-season – the performance. You want to grow and that is what we have seen today in comparison with Monday, which was a low standard.

“Today was much better, especially in the prospect of aggressiveness, which was much better. We were much more on the front foot and it was a team [effort] in both halves so, yeah, it was enjoyable to watch.”