Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘not willing to pay Everton’s £70m asking price for Top Man United defender target this summer -Reports

Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘not willing to pay Everton’s £70m asking price for Top Man United defender target this summer -Reports

Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Jarrad Branthwaite

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will reportedly not pay Everton’s high £70m asking price to bring Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United this summer.

The 21-year-old centre-back has been strongly linked with a transfer to Old Trafford this summer, and made his England debut earlier this month after impressing Gareth Southgate with his performances with the Toffees.

It was previously reported that Everton would only consider a ‘mega offer’ for the young defender, with their desire to keep Branthwaite on their books for another term at least.

Man United’s co-owner Ratcliffe is reluctant to meet the £70m asking price for Branthwaite, according to talkSPORT.

Ratcliffe is wary of overspending on players, and does not want to be drawn into a bidding war with himself, as Man United look to be the only serious contenders for Branthwaite’s signature at the moment, despite whispers of a Real Madrid link too.

Branthwaite is contracted to Everton until 2027, and made 35 league appearances for the Toffees last term, as they avoided relegation despite points deductions.

The 21-year-old impressed the club’s fans during the campaign, many of whom considered him to be their breakout player of the year.

Everton will feel a large fee is justified for a player who is homegrown, left-footed, and contracted to the club for another three years.

Central defence is set to be an area where Man United target this summer, with Raphael Varane leaving Old Trafford.

The Red Devils had serious issues with injuries in defence last season, and were constantly relying on makeshift options to cover.

Varane and Harry Maguire suffered multiple fitness setbacks throughout the season, while Lisandro Martinez missed the majority of the campaign with injury.