He’s ready – Man United have already been given green light to sign £80m-rated English defender by teammate as man United ready to ‘open talks’

He’s ready – Man United have already been given green light to sign £80m-rated English defender by teammate as man United ready to ‘open talks’

Manchester United have been given the green light to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer from his teammate.

Man United are keen to complete a transfer for the 21-year-old but won’t be forced into a deal for extortionate money, MEN Sport understands.

Everton are demanding over £70million for the services of the Englishman and are hopeful of completing a deal before the June 30 deadline.

Branthwaite not being selected for Gareth Southgate’s England Euro 2024 squad makes this more likely despite the manager’s insistence that his players will be able to complete transfer activity during the major competition this summer.

He is now free for more open talks with United as they press on towards a possible deal.

Having only just completed his first full season in the top flight at Everton, Branthwaite has a huge value attached to him.

However, former United captain and Everton full-back Ashley Young has already explained that his teammate is good enough to succeed.

When asked on talkSPORT if a move to Old Trafford would be too much for Branthwaite, Young said, “I wouldn’t say so, no.” He continued, “Not at all. I think he’s ready for the step up. Obviously there’s interest from other clubs that are finishing in the top half of the table.

Rightly so because I know what kind of player he is, where he can get to.

“I can see him, if it’s not with us at Everton, taking us further, then with a team that’s maybe offering him Champions League football.

He’s definitely a player that can go and play in the Champions League and play in the big tournaments.”

At the time, Branthwaite had just been included in the most recent England squad ahead of the Euros, included in the provisional 33 players selected by Southgate.

“I’m over the moon for him because I know what he’s brought to our team, not just on pitch but off the pitch as well,” said Young.

“He’s been fantastic as a youngster that is literally playing above his years. He’s confident, he’s so comfortable playing football and I’m delighted for him that he’s been included in the squad.”

“If he’s going to be called upon then he would fit straight in there. He doesn’t take any prisoners, he can play football, he can tackle, he can head it and he can come up with a goal as well.

He’s got all the attributes to be a fantastic centre-half for many years.”

Unfortunately for Branthwaite he did not make the cut, with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk instead preferred at the back.

Whilst it is a personal blow for the youngster, it may well help United in their attempts to land him this summer