Man Utd are in ongoing negotiations for Everton star - Sky Sports journalist

Manchester United are in “ongoing” negotiations over a deal to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to Florian Plettenberg.

The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via Twitter on 17 June that talks on a move for the centre-back may still be in progress but are “difficult”.

The update comes along with news that Victor Lindelof could potentially leave to rejoin Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce this summer, meaning two central defenders would be needed at Old Trafford during the transfer window.

United had made an opening bid for Branthwaite, 21, on 14 June but the lowball offer starting at £35million was immediately rejected by the Toffees, who are holding out for a major fee of £70m or more.

Could Victor Lindelof sale boost Old Trafford budget to push for Everton defender?

It would appear that both sides of a potential Branthwaite deal are going to have to make considerable concessions to meet somewhere in the middle, since Everton are said to be holding out for his full value while Sir Jim Ratcliffe apparently has no intention of spending that much [Telegraph, 15 June].

The fact that they are so far apart after the opening bid has probably only made the negotiations even more difficult when the Toffees are unlikely to have been amused by a lowball offer.

As things stand it seems the entire transfer budget at Old Trafford this summer wouldn’t be enough to land Branthwaite, although sales of players such as Lindelof could change that.

However, if the Swede heading to Turkey leaves United needing to sign another player it is unlikely to do much to unlock a deal at Goodison Park.

If either club is essentially bluffing in its current stance then it is possible that one might break and a deal becomes possible.

But with Everton seemingly not under the pressure to sell early that transfer suitors might have hoped that doesn’t look likely right now, and if a sale of Amadou Onana gets done at the same time it could bring an end to the Branthwaite talks along with it.

In other Everton news, a club are now hoping to receive an offer from Goodison Park for their international striker who is available.

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