Fabrizio Romano reveals Everton’s secret reason for Jarrad Branthwaite stance after Man United bid

Fabrizio Romano has detailed a secret reason for Everton’s stance on Jarrad Branthwaite after Manchester United’s rejected bid for the defender.

Branthwaite, 21, has emerged as one of United’s transfer priorities in the coming months after his breakthrough Premier League season last term.

The 21-year-old defender has agreed on personal terms with United, prompting the club to make their initial bid for him.

With Raphaël Varane’s departure, the Old Trafford team requires defensive reinforcements, and Branthwaite, an England international, is their top priority.

However, the club’s opening offer of around £43 million was rejected by the Toffees, who are not willing to negotiate on their £70 million price tag for the defender.

The Reds have taken a similar approach, with INEOS not looking to overpay for the defender.

Fabrizio Romano has since detailed that Amadou Onana’s potential exit this summer is one of the reasons that Everton are not willing to budge on their price for Branthwaite.

“Many of you have been asking me about the Amadou Onana situation. For now it’s certainly the case that Everton feel something could happen for Onana this summer,” he wrote on his Daily Briefing.

“And that’s why they’re not accepting any proposal from Manchester United for Jarrad Branthwaite – they received an offer of £35m plus add-ons from Man United but they said no, because they want at least £65-70m, so it’s not easy.

Still, it’s also important to say that Everton expect movement for Onana. We’ve had rumours about Arsenal but at the moment they have not received any formal proposal.

“Arsenal have been tracking Onana, he’s a player on their list, also last summer and in January, though they decided not to enter into conversations.”

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