Man Utd's renewed push for Branthwaite tests £80m price tag

Man Utd have re‑opened contact with Jarrad Branthwaite’s camp as part of a plan to transform their defence, after earlier bids in 2024 – the second reportedly worth up to £50m – while Everton now value the 24‑year‑old centre‑back at roughly £80m in the transfer market.

Bids and valuation

United first moved for the Everton defender in 2024, submitting two offers; the latter was said to top £50m. Since then Branthwaite’s performances have lifted his market value, with Everton placing a price tag in the £80m bracket and showing little desire to sell.

Interest from other clubs

Beyond United, Michael Carrick’s Manchester City side, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the former PSV loanee. The competition for his signature adds pressure on United to out‑bid rivals if they wish to secure the Red Devils’ target.

Branthwaite signed a fresh contract with Everton last summer that runs until 2030, and his form could see him in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for Nations League games against Spain, Czechia and Croatia.

United spent the recent summer revamping their midfield and now turn their focus to the backline, a unit that has changed little in recent years. The club’s plan to transform defence hinges on adding a centre‑back of Branthwaite’s calibre.

The 24‑year‑old is praised for his two‑footed ability, pace and reading of the game. His physicality and ball‑playing skills make him a rare defensive asset, perfectly suited to United’s style.

Rob is a Football Writer for GiveMeSport with over 15 years' experience. Starting off at Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club and York City Football Club after graduating with a BA in Sports Journalism in 2010, he later worked for the Press Association and The Football League Newspaper. At football.london he hosted the Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast and covered Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham at home and abroad. Like many reports, this story reads like a thread in the transfer log, and here the details give a clear picture of United’s Red defence ambitions.