Manchester United deal expected in coming weeks with three key transfer details revealed

Manchester United are expected to seal the deal for Jarrad Branthwaite to sign from Everton at the end of this month.

Branthwaite, 21, has been widely reported as the preferred option at United as they look to strengthen their central defensive options this summer after Raphaël Varane’s departure.

According to the Liverpool Echo, United chiefs are now expecting a deal to be done for the Everton centre-back before June 30, with the Merseyside club attempting to hold out for a £75 million fee.

The Blues are eager to get their money’s worth for the England international who was cut from Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man Euro 2024 squad.

With his current Everton contract running until 2027, Branthwaite is also considered to have a premium on his valuation, given that he is both English and left-footed.

However, Everton are in a position in which selling a high-value star before the end of this month could help them avoid breaching PSR rules. They were given two separate points deductions for such offences last season.

Interestingly, despite the defender’s overpriced value and United’s desire not to overspend, the MEN have described three key reasons why the transfer could still go over the line.

It was explained that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are aiming to bring players to the club who are younger, have resale value and will improve the team for the long-term – all of which are traits Branthwaite possesses.

With Everton seemingly pressurised to make sales before the end of the month, United could aim to use that to their benefit in negotiations.

The Reds are also looking to sign another centre-back, as well as two centre-midfielders and a striker. Sales will be crucial to their attempts at filling the gaps in the Old Trafford squad.

Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho are likely heading for the exit door, while the futures of players like Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Victor Lindelöf are also uncertain.