- Branthwaite camp met with Manchester United
- Defender keen on move
- Fitness issues and price are key barriers
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is still keen on a move to Manchester United, if the opportunity arises.
Ever since early 2023, the centre back has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford. He first caught the eye of the wider public when he had a successful loan spell with PSV in Eredivise during 2022/23.
He was managed by United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy that season, who he has credited for his rise. Since his return from Netherlands, Branthwaite has gone on to make 73 Premier League appearances for the Toffees.
United’s Long Standing Interest
According to journalist Ben Jacobs via The United Stand, the Reds held a meeting with Branthwaite’s camp in February. He said: “There was a meeting with the Branthwaite camp in February. It was reiterated from the player’s side that interest hasn’t gone away.”
He continued: “Branthwaite had been focusing on himself, recovery and getting back on the pitch, we will see if it’s this summer or next. With Harry Maguire staying, United want to have that replacement while he is still in the building.”
In the past, United have been put off by The Toffees valuation of the defender, which has been as high as £70m. It prompted United to look elsewhere, opting for Leny Yoro and Matthijs De Ligt in recent seasons. Additionally, Branthwaite signed a new contract with David Moyes’ side last summer. The new five-year deal assures any suitors that Everton do not need to sell.
The interest has cooled in the last season or two, but it hardly makes sense to renew it. Yoro and Ayden Heaven are considered the future of the defence. Signing Branthwaite would only serve to block the pathway for one, if not both of those players.
Moreover, the Everton man’s injury record over the past two seasons has been questionable. He missed 20 games last season across three spells for a groin injury he got surgery for. This season, the centre back was out between August and January – missing 25 games for the Blues. The reliability factor is already something that the Old Trafford side have to contend with through De Ligt’s current four month absence.
The ‘United tax’ on British transfers
Manchester United have long been trapped between two financial hammers: the ‘United tax’ and the ‘British tax’, which comes with a massive premium price for domestic talent.
The club has historically been its own worst enemy here. For example, spending £55m on Mason Mount with just a year left on his deal was bizarre business. It’s a similar story to the Harry Maguire saga in 2019. United spent an entire summer haggling over pennies, only to panic and pay Leicester’s full £80m asking price anyway.
For every overpriced domestic signing, there’s an alternative available overseas for a fraction of the price. INEOS finally seems to be addressing this, whereby the signing of Senne Lammens has proven already.
It would be a fallback to the old days if they pursued the interest in Branthwaite. There are better options out there, some of whom may currently even be at the club.
