Manchester United make initial £45m offer for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United have proposed a starting bid to Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite, totaling £45m with additional incentives, marking the club's inaugural action in the summer transfer window.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, overseeing United's football strategy, sanctioned the proposal amounting to a base of £35m plus £10m in additional clauses. Everton is likely to turn down the bid as they appraise the 21-year-old centre-back at a higher value of £60m-70m. 

Nevertheless, Everton are encountering financial obstacles, and the manager, Sean Dyche, has admitted that they might need to consider offers for players. Branthwaite stands out as their most valuable asset, although Everton's past violations of profitability and sustainability regulations may not come into play, giving the club a stronger negotiating stance.

Branthwaite made a strong impact for Everton amid another challenging season for the Merseyside team. He featured in Gareth Southgate’s 33-player England training squad for the European Championship but was omitted from the final 26-man roster.

Erik ten Hag, who retained his position as manager of United this week, had to deploy 15 different central defense pairings last season due to Lisandro Martínez, his preferred center-back, enduring a campaign marred by injuries. Branthwaite, a left-footed player, is considered by Ten Hag to be an improvement in that role and a valuable alternative, especially following Raphaël Varane's departure from Old Trafford. Until Dan Ashworth commences his role as sporting director at United, currently on gardening leave, Jason Wilcox, the technical director, is overseeing the club's summer activities.