Manchester United have made an approach to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, in response to reports.
The 23-year-old has began just five Premier League games this season as a consequence of a hamstring injury which required surgery in October.
Branthwaite made his first appearance of the campaign in January and Everton manager David Moyes has been keen to administer the defender’s minutes since his return to the team.
United, meanwhile, had two bids rejected for Branthwaite in 2024, including a proposal of £50 million. Everton were holding out for a £70m transfer fee and United went on to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich and Leny Yoro from Lille.
But in response to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, United have kept in touch with Branthwaite ahead of this summer’s transfer window.
‘They [United] like Jarrad Branthwaite, there’s no denying that,’ Jacobs told The United Stand.
‘The advantage of Harry Maguire is that they’ll take their time, whether now or a whether a 12 months down the road.
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‘There was a gathering with the Branthwaite camp in February, it was reiterated from the player’s side that his interest in Manchester United hasn’t gone away.
‘Everton feel calm in regards to the situation and Branthwaite has been specializing in himself, recovery and all of the stuff you’d expect of a player.
‘So any type of exit hasn’t really been a subject of conversation, because he’s committed to Everton, as a consequence we’ll see whether it’s this summer or next.
’I believe a part of the logic in Maguire staying is that Man United need to be more like Liverpool within the sense of finding that alternative before the actual alternative goes, so chances are you’ll begin to see available in the market more overlap.’
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