According to a new report, Manchester United are now “keen” on signing a £50 million player as Rúben Amorim eyes signing new centre-backs this summer.
Manchester United are planning to target new defenders in the summer transfer window as Rúben Amorim works to solve the team’s ongoing issues at the back.
The club made some progress in January, signing promising centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal and wing-back Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu from Lecce. Still, defensive concerns remain, especially with Lisandro Martínez now ruled out until at least November.
A number of current players are expected to leave. Victor Lindelöf will depart when his contract expires in June, while Jonny Evans is also expected to move on.
The futures of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also uncertain. Shaw hasn’t featured for United in nearly a year due to persistent injury problems, and Malacia—currently on loan at PSV—is not in Amorim’s long-term plans.
Tuchel helping Amorim land Everton star
In the latest set of international fixtures, none of Amorim’s men were called up to the England squad, with Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Mason Mount missing out due to injury.
Marcus Rashford was the only player on United’s books that was called up for Thomas Tuchel’s squad, with the winger currently on loan at Aston Villa after a breakdown in the relationship between Amorim and himself.
Another player omitted from the squad was Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who United are well known to have a significant interest in, with the Old Trafford club seeing two bids for the defender rejected last summer.
According to a new report from Sky Sports, Branthwaite’s not being called up by England boss Tuchel has forced him to consider his future at the Liverpool-based club despite Everton’s desire to keep the 22-year-old.
The report from Sky states that United are still very much “keen” on signing the Englishman this summer, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Real Madrid also among the clubs tracking him.
How much could United sign Branthwaite for this summer?
Last summer, United’s two bids for Branthwaite were worth a total of £45 million and £50 million, respectively, with these fees comprising a mix of guaranteed funds and performance-related add-ons.
Everton scoffed at both offers, demanding at least £75 million for the player, and United eventually ended their interested and chose to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich for around £35 million instead.
However, with Branthwaite’s departure a genuine positivity and the player entering into the final year of his current deal, it seems as if Everton will be willing to lower their demands.
According to a report from The Sun last week, United would be prepared to commit as much as £50 million for the player once again this summer, which is around what Everton are looking to demand.
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