Raphaël Varane has changed Manchester United’s summer transfer priorities

Raphaël Varane’s departure from Manchester United has seemingly changed INEOS’ transfer priorities as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s side prepares for the summer window.

It has been widely stated across the media this summer that Manchester United are looking for two central defenders this summer across both halves pf their defence.

Lisandro Martínez is the only left-footed centre-back in Erik ten Hag‘s squad, with the other three still at the club, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Victor Lindelöf, all favouring their right foot.

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Although they have a surplus of right-footed defenders, Raphaël Varane’s departure this summer seems to have shifted the club’s priorities away from signing a new left-footed defender.

The Athletic reports that although Everton’s left-sided defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a player of interest for United, Varane’s departure has now made signing a new right-sided centre-half a “higher priority”.

This may be due to the fact that all three of United’s other right-footed defenders may leave the club this summer, meaning multiple players in that position could be lost.

Beyond this, the other issue with Branthwaite’s potential transfer is that Everton rate him in the same bracket as the transfers of Harry Maguire to United, Wesley Fofana to Chelsea, and Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City, all of which commanded fees of over £75 million.

How feasible a move for Branthwaite is depends on whether Everton must comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which will dictate whether they need to sell before 30 June.

Beyond this, his former club, Carlisle United, will receive a percentage of any deal. This must be considered as it will affect the overall fee.