Man United eye £40m Bargain deal for England star as first signing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe era

Man United eye £40m Bargain deal for England star as first signing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe era

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is hoping to bolster his Manchester United squad this summer and is preparing a swoop to Jarrad Branthwaite as he tries to add another centre-back

Manchester United are eyeing up a cut-price deal for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to make his first signing.

The 71-year-old is expected to undergo an overhaul of the United squad over the summer transfer window, with several players leaving and a number of others moving to Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane have already confirmed their departures with more set to follow.

That will free up squad space for arrivals and Branthwaite is someone that United are targeting ahead of the window opening on Friday June 14, according to The Sun.

Ratcliffe is determined to start his era with a bang after he bought a 25 percent share in United earlier in the season.

United want at least one new centre-back this summer. Jonny Evans is likely to leave when his contract expires, Harry Maguire is wanted by West Ham and Lisandro Martinez has only just recovered from a serious injury. Victor Lindelof also has just one year left on his current deal.

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Branthwaite has emerged as one of the best young defenders in the Premier League after impressing for Everton and is seen as someone who can help take United to the next level.

The former Carlisle and PSV centre-back has made 35 appearances and scored three goals for the Toffees this season.

Ratcliffe, who has not yet made a firm decision on whether Ten Hag will take charge next term, is hoping to transform United back to competing among the elite of European football as quickly as possible.

And he is ready to land Branthwaite, who earned his first senior England call-up in March, for just £40million.

Everton are in desperate need for cash to stay afloat as they remain a mess off the field. 777 Partners agreed to buy current owner Farhad Moshiri’s 94 percent stake in September but have struggled to seal the deal as it is yet to be ratified by the Premier League. The Toffees recorded a post-tax loss of £89.1m in March.

It means Everton could end up selling Branthwaite for half of his £80m valuation.

Jordan Pickford, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Amadou Onana, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil are among the others who may be let go for cut-price fees as the Toffees try and balance the books.

A proposed move for Branthwaite comes as United prepare for the Europa League next season.

The Red Devils, who finished eighth in the Premier League, booked their place in Europe’s second tier competition by beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup on Saturday.