Jarrad Branthwaite price tag revealed as Man United loanee set to return to Old Trafford

Manchester United are in the race for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer but the Englishman has a hefty price tag attached to him.

Branthwaite, 21, has been a standout performer for The Toffees this season after a successful loan spell at Ruud van Nistlerooy’s PSV Eindhoven last term.

The defender has been heavily linked with a summer move, with The Reds being one of the teams considering him a top target.

However, Everton boss Sean Dyche has reiterated his ambition to keep the 21-year-old at Goodison Park next season after their 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the weekend.

“We don’t want to sell any good players. It’s as simple as that, and he’s proven to be a very good player,” said Dyche. “We’re not in the business of trying to sell players.”

The defender’s reported price tag supports that stance, with the Mirror stating that the Merseysiders have slammed a £75 million price tag on Branthwaite to deter the likes of United.

This would make him the most expensive defender ever, amassing the £80 million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Meanwhile, United could welcome back a loanee at the end of the season, with Eintracht Frankfurt unlikely to use the buy option in Donny van de Beek’s loan contract.

The midfielder has failed to reignite his career in Germany after encountering difficulties following his move away from Ajax to Manchester United.

Local paper Frankfurter Rundschau delivered a harsh assessment of Van de Beek, saying: “Donny van de Beek…is not expected to have much of a future at Frankfurt. There is little to nothing to suggest that his loan stint will be made permanent.

“After years on the bench at Man Utd and Everton, the 26-year-old is barely able to keep up with the intensity of the Bundesliga, his lack of rhythm is noticeable in every game. He is like a foreign body, timid and hesitant, and error-prone to boot.

“It will be tough for Van de Beek in the coming weeks, although head coach Dino Toppmöller has not yet fully given up on him. Nevertheless, the question has to be asked: Why did Eintracht Frankfurt sign him in the first place?”