Erik ten Hag urged to complete signing of £60m ‘ideal Bruno Fernandes partner’ for Man united ahead of Bayern Munich this summer

Erik ten Hag urged to complete signing of £60m ‘ideal Bruno Fernandes partner’ for Man united ahead of Bayern Munich this summer

Manchester United have made their move for Jarrad Branthwaite as they bid to lure the Everton star to Old Trafford, and other players are set to be targeted in the coming weeks

Joao Palhinha

The summer transfer window has only been open for two days, but already Manchester United are starting to make moves.

After providing some much-needed clarity over the future of Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils have firmed up their interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Following reports claiming United have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old, the club lodged an official bid, although this has since been rejected by the Toffees.

Elsewhere, it’s expected United will sign a new striker to support Rasmus Hojlund and a string of names have already been linked, including Bologna’s sought-after forward, Joshua Zirkzee.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has called on the Red Devils to hijack Bayern Munich’s swoop for Joao Palhinha.

The German giants are long-term admirers of Palhinha, who came close to joining them from Fulham last summer only for a deal to collapse on deadline day.

The two clubs are back in talks, though, over a potential deal, with reports claiming Fulham value Palhinha at £60million.

But Ince wants United to get involved, explaining to Bet365 that the Portugal international is the perfect long-term successor to Casemiro, who could be sold in the coming months.

Manchester United have informed Everton that they will walk away from a deal for Jarrad Branthwaite if their Premier League rivals refuse to lower their demands.

The Red Devils’ interest has been widely reported over the last few months and it emerged on Friday that United had seen an opening bid, worth in the region of £43m including achievable add-ons, rejected by Everton.

United are preparing to return to the table with a new and improved bid as they attempt to make Branthwaite their first summer signing.

But they are not willing to pay over the odds to strike a deal and could yet move on to other targets.