Man United rumoured for bizarre swap deal as INEOS transfer ‘becoming less likely’

Manchester United signing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer is ‘becoming less likely’, according to reports.

That information is coming from talkSPORT, who explain that the Merseyside outfit will not be under as much pressure to sell after coming out of the Profit and Sustainability Rules period unscathed.

United have agreed personal terms with the 21-year-old defender, who has been touted as INEOS’ favourite option to boost the backline at Old Trafford.

However, their opening bid of £43 million was swiftly rejected by Everton, and the Toffees are refusing to back down from their £70 million price tag for the defender.

The Reds are walking a financial tightrope this summer and need to make signings in multiple positions, so they will not be able to cough up that kind of money for a single transfer.

Meanwhile, there have been strange reports coming from Italy that United could be set to make a swap deal offer for Napoli star Victor Osimhen.

United have previously been credited with interest in the Nigerian forward. La Repubblica reports that the Premier League outfit has previously offered Rasmus Højlund plus cash for Osimhen.

It was stated that the offer is something that could be revisited if a deal for Joshua Zirkzee falls through, but a departure for Højlund seems almost impossible.

The Reds paid big money for a long-term project in Højlund, and he has been named as one of the few ‘untouchable’ players in the transfer market this summer after a promising debut campaign.

That doesn’t even cover the fact that he is the only centre-forward in the squad and that United cannot be entering next season with just one recognised no.9.

Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is released every Thursday at 6 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.