Man United given Jarrad Branthwaite alternative greenlight as £42m transfer update emerges

Man United given Jarrad Branthwaite alternative greenlight as £42m transfer update emerges

When the summer transfer window opened earlier this month, Manchester United’s effort to sign Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite was quickly rejected, but they may now be free to pursue another possible target.

A new two-year deal is expected to be inked later this week, but the INEOS CEO chose to keep the Dutchman on. As a result, United has begun to lag behind in several important races.

Since their opening offer of £43m was flatly rejected at the start of the window, there’s been a substantial lack of progress on the deal, given the fact that Everton both don’t want to let go of Branthwaite – and even if they do, it’ll cost Man United at least £70m.

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The likely sale of Ben Godfrey to Atalanta is another indication that the Toffees won’t let go of Branthwaite if they can help it, with Sean Dyche unlikely to want to give up two of his most-utilised defenders over the last season in the same window.

For United, it’s a big dent in their hopes to sign the 22-year-old but there is another alternative option they could land on in order to boost their defensive line for the 2024/25 campaign in the form of Italian international Riccardo Calafiori.

The star’s impressive displays at the 2024 European Championships this summer have backed up Calafiori’s diligent work under Thiago Motta at Bologna in the Serie A this season, having played 90 minutes in all but six of his 30 league appearances this season, in which he netted twice and provided five assists.

Now transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Motta’s side feel as though keeping him will be impossible after their initial plan before the Euros to try and stave off any potential buyers, with the club expecting big-money deals to be offered for the star.

It’s claimed Premier League clubs are now keen on the centre-back, who has been in contact with Juventus since May although no agreement has yet come to fruition.

The position is a big priority for United in the window, having already lost Raphael Varane whose contract expired at the end of the season, with Jonny Evans in discussions with the club about a new contract, which expires on Monday.

It remains to be seen whether United will register any interest in Calafiori, but they may well be tempted given the latest update