Man United ‘expected’ to bid for £60m Premier League star in January | OneFootball

Manchester United Prepare £60m Bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United are once again being strongly linked with Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with reports suggesting a £60m offer is lined up for the January window. Credit goes to Caught Offside for breaking down the latest developments in this ongoing transfer story.

Branthwaite on United’s radar

“Manchester United are big admirers of Everton central defender Jarrad Branthwaite and are expected to bid £60m for him this January.” That line from the original report sums up the seriousness of United’s intent. Liverpool and two other Premier League clubs are also thought to be in the running, yet Old Trafford appears to be the likeliest destination if the Reds can move quickly.

United had already tried to prise Branthwaite away in the summer of 2024, when Everton reportedly turned down a £50m bid, as noted by Sky Sports. That rejection only underlines how highly the Toffees value their young defender, and why it may take a significant fee to shift their stance.

Defensive depth under Ruben Amorim

While there is admiration for Branthwaite’s talent, questions naturally arise about whether United actually need him. As Caught Offside pointed out, “United have signed a fair few new central defenders in recent times, bringing in Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven a year ago.”

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Harry Maguire remains a squad option, and Luke Shaw along with Noussair Mazraoui have both filled in as part of Ruben Amorim’s three-at-the-back system. Lisandro Martinez has endured injury setbacks but is another capable option. That level of depth means Branthwaite might find minutes hard to come by, at least initially.

A player with ambition

There is no question about the player’s own ambition. “It’s well established that the talented young Englishman has the desire to play for a top club,” sources noted in the original article. Everton have often had to cash in on prized assets, and Branthwaite could be the latest if a Champions League-level side comes calling.

United’s stature, even after years of transition, still carries weight. Their moves this past summer for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo showed that the club retains pulling power. Branthwaite could view a switch to Manchester as the perfect stage to test himself at the highest level.

Transfer battle ahead

Everton will fight to keep their star, and rival interest from Liverpool ensures the saga could be competitive. That said, a bid in the region of £60m may prove difficult to refuse given Everton’s financial position. Branthwaite’s qualities, combined with his age, make him one of the most attractive defensive prospects in the Premier League right now.

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From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, this feels like a statement move in the making. Jarrad Branthwaite has the stature, composure and Premier League experience that suggests he could anchor the United backline for years to come. At 23, he is still developing, but his physicality and ability on the ball already stand out.

Some might argue United have more pressing needs in midfield or up front, yet strong defences often define successful title challenges. Lisandro Martinez cannot be relied upon to stay fit across a full season, and while Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are excellent options, adding Branthwaite would provide Ruben Amorim with elite depth. The competition would be fierce, but elite clubs thrive on that dynamic.

Everton will fight tooth and nail to keep him, however if the player truly wants the move then history suggests Goodison Park will have to accept the reality at some stage. £60m sounds steep, but in the current market it is the going rate for an England-qualified defender of this calibre.

As fans, there is excitement at the prospect of seeing Branthwaite in a United shirt as early as January. It would show ambition, strengthen an already solid squad and mark another key step in Amorim’s rebuild. If United can get this one over the line, it could prove to be a cornerstone signing for the club’s next era.