Manchester United had expressed strong interest in signing Jarrad Branthwaite this summer, submitting a £50 million bid and agreeing on personal terms with the player. However, the deal faltered because they couldn’t meet Everton’s asking price, causing the transfer to stall. Liverpool have now entered the race, ready to offer Everton’s asking price plus an additional £7 million in performance-related bonuses, potentially making the total deal worth £70 million.
Liverpool’s bid is noteworthy because it would be the first time in over 20 years that they have signed a player from Everton, which would be a significant move. Branthwaite, one of the most promising young English center-backs, could be enticed by Liverpool’s offer, which includes a potential salary of around £180,000 per week.
Manchester United, meanwhile, opted not to meet Everton’s demands and instead focused on other targets, including Leny Yoro from Lille and Matthijs de Ligt from Ajax. With these acquisitions, they now have limited capacity to sign another central defender like Branthwaite.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s hesitance to meet Everton’s price has given Liverpool a chance to potentially secure Branthwaite, a move that would strengthen their defense and make a significant statement in the competitive Premier League transfer market.