Manchester United Step Up Reported Branthwaite Interest as Everton Set £80m Price Tag

Manchester United transfer interest in Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly growing, with the club said to be in constant contact over a possible move for the Everton centre-back.

Football Fancast reports that United have held talks with Branthwaite’s representatives as Michael Carrick considers how to strengthen a defence that has yet to keep a clean sheet in its opening four Premier League matches. There is no indication that a deal has been agreed, however, and Everton’s reported £80 million valuation would make any approach a major commitment.

United’s defensive problems have not gone away

United’s need for another centre-back has been underlined by an inconsistent start to the campaign. The issue was exposed again in the 3–2 Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton, when United surrendered an early two-goal lead.

The result followed a 2–2 draw with Everton earlier in the month, a match that prompted strong criticism from Gary Neville. The former United defender warned that the team’s habit of conceding goals remained a serious concern, even with Carrick using his strongest available back four.

Lisandro Martínez, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro have all featured in the Premier League, while Matthijs de Ligt has yet to return from a back injury. Carrick’s selection has therefore been shaped by both form and availability, and United may decide that another senior option is needed.

Why Branthwaite has become a target

Branthwaite’s standing has risen after a disrupted previous season. Injury limited him to 10 Premier League appearances last term, but the 24-year-old has started all four of Everton’s league matches this season and has become a key part of David Moyes’s defence.

Figures cited by Football Fancast put Branthwaite’s defensive contribution at 10.0 per 90 minutes, the highest among Everton players and above every member of Carrick’s squad apart from Kobbie Mainoo. Those numbers help explain why United are monitoring him, but they also strengthen Everton’s hand in any negotiation.

Everton are under no pressure to sell

Everton are reportedly reluctant to sanction a transfer, particularly after Branthwaite signed a contract running until 2030 last summer. That long-term agreement gives the club a strong negotiating position and means United would have to decide whether the defender is worth the premium.

Manchester City, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are also reported to be interested. Competition from clubs of that stature could push the price higher, although it remains uncertain whether any of them will make a formal approach.

For now, the story is one of sustained contact rather than an imminent transfer. United’s defensive record explains the attraction, Branthwaite’s form gives the pursuit credibility and Everton’s valuation sets the test. Whether the two clubs can bridge that gap will determine if the reported interest develops into a serious January or summer move.

Source: Football Fancast: Manchester United holding talks over Jarrad Branthwaite