Fabrizio Romano shares where Man United now stand in bid to sign Everton ace

Everton seem to have deterred Manchester United from making a “crazy” transfer bid for defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking to GiveMeSport [28 June], the Italian journalist said that with the Toffees asking for between £65million and £70million for the centre-back, Manchester United could be forced to look elsewhere.

The Red Devils have made no secret of Branthwaite being their first-choice defensive transfer target, but Romano suggested that they will instead wait for a better opportunity, or an alternative signing.

He said: “Nothing is imminent at the moment. Branthwaite remains the name they appreciate, but Everton keep asking for around £65million to £70million.

“He’s an expensive deal, and I don’t think Manchester United will do anything crazy. They want to do something smarter to go for the right opportunity.”

Everton could win transfer window by keeping Jarrad Branthwaite

If there’s one player Sean Dyche will be hoping stays put in royal blue next season it’s Branthwaite, with the centre-back having experienced a meteoric rise to first-team stardom over the last 12 months.

Thirty-five Premier League appearances and three goals last season show just how integral a figure Branthwaite became in the Toffees’ back four, and a price tag of £70m as a result is hardly surprising.

Even with the club having been in dire financial straights for some time, they still seem hell-bent on retaining the 22-year-old for the long haul, showing just how highly they rate his future prospects.

While other high-value stars like Amadou Onana seem certainties for the exit door, the Toffees’ massive valuation of the young defender suggests that Dyche has made clear he wants Branthwaite to stay put [Foot Mercato, 27 June].

Keeping Manchester United at bay and Branthwaite at Goodison Park this summer, particularly after such a chaotic year on and off the field, would be a massive statement of intent for Everton to make, and one they surely won’t regret further down the line.

In other Everton news, the Toffees are interested in signing a forward who has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

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