Manchester United confident that fan-favourite signing will join before June 30th

Manchester United are believed to be pushing to sign a fan-favourite option as early as possible this summer.

According to a report from Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Manchester United have picked out Jarrad Branthwaite as their top target for this upcoming summer transfer window.

United are believed to be convinced that a bid between £60-£70 million will be large enough to secure the Everton star’s signature.

Ahead of a summer rebuild that will reportedly see a mass of players leaving and arriving at Old Trafford, the Premier League giants are now heavily pushing for Branthwaite to be the first signing of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.

United’s need for a new centre-back has only grown, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane all believed to be heading towards the exit door this summer.

At just 21 years old, Branthwaite has already amounted 41 Premier League appearances for his boyhood club. Additionally, the Englishman was recently called up to the senior national team, though he did not make an appearance.

Branthwaite’s impressive career so far, combined with his impressive physical and mental attributes, has allowed him to represent an ideal candidate for United’s future backline.

Football Insider also noted earlier this week that United are trying to ensure they sign Branthwaite as early in the window as they can.

The Red Devils’ efforts to secure Brathwaite’s signature early in the window have only been boosted by Everton’s need to sell the Englishman ahead of the 30th of June.

If the Toffees are to sell their prized asset before that date, then they can include his sale in their 2023/24 accounts, boosting their battle to avoid further points deductions from the Premier League.