'What on earth?' - Richard Keys blasts Man Utd figure over Everton offer amid sack claim

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is “having a laugh” at Manchester United after offering £35million to Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite, according to Richard Keys.

The beIN Sport host reacted with disbelief on his blog (17 June) to developments at Old Trafford that have seen Erik ten Hag kept on at manager despite talks with the likes of Thomas Tuchel, and a low bid for the Toffees defender.

Everton rejected the “unacceptable offer” as they want a “much higher” price to let him go [David Ornstein, 14 June], and Keys has accused the minority owner at United of trying to “do everything on the cheap”.

Keys wrote: “What on earth is Sunny Jim doing at United? After hawking ten Hag’s job around Europe since the end of the season it turns out the incumbent keeps stays in post – although he was only fourth choice. What rank amateurism.

“The players must be on the floor. To a man they expected ten Hag to get the sack. What does Ratcliffe think will change? If he’d offered a proper salary I’m told Tuchel would’ve said ‘yes’.

“But Ratcliffe is trying to do everything on the cheap. £35m for Branthwaite? He’s having a laugh and it will bite him. He’ll also have to sack ten Hag before Christmas.”

Jarrad Branthwaite bid rejected by Everton

The bid for Branthwaite likely won’t have done much to improve Ratcliffe’s chances of signing the 21-year-old since it will have only rubbed his opposite numbers at Goodison Park up the wrong way.

Manchester United believe they can get a cut-price deal done for the star centre-back [Mirror, 14 June] despite Everton insisting that won’t be happening.

How much the Toffees’ financial issues have to be addressed before the end of June will play a big role on the transfer business in the next fortnight, but the situation at Old Trafford isn’t straight forward either as it appears they can’t afford Branthwaite at full price.

A sale of Amadou Onana is expected this summer [Alan Myers, 14 June] and with approaches coming in for the Belgian midfielder Kevin Thelwell will hope it can be done early to ease the pressure on profit and sustainability and potentially rule out selling his teammate.

It’s no surprise that Branthwaite is wanted in Manchester after his outstanding first season as a first-team regular in the Premier League.

But Sean Dyche won’t want to lose him at all and neither will the fans, especially for anything less than a major fee.

In other Everton news, the Dan Friedkin takeover could reportedly collapse still.

For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.

The post 'What on earth?' - Richard Keys blasts Man Utd figure over Everton offer amid sack claim appeared first on Goodison News.