Man United ‘eye cut-price £40m swoop for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite’… with Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘ready to take advantage of the Toffees’ financial woes’

Manchester United believe they can land Everton‘s rising star Jarrad Branthwaite in a cut-price deal this summer, according to reports.

Branthwaite enjoyed a breakthrough 2023-24 season at Goodison Park, featuring in 35 league games for the Toffees as they avoided relegation with something to spare, despite being deducted eight points for breaching spending rules.

The 21-year-old is understood to be valued at around the £70m mark, but United feel they may be able to sign him for as little as £40m due to Everton’s financial woes, as reported by The Sun.

Everton desperately need to offload players this summer to balance their books, with their proposed takeover by 777 Partners set to fall through.

It has been reported that owner Farhad Moshiri must sell several of his first-team stars or risk putting the club into administration.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly believes he can land the rising star in a cut-price deal

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has reportedly been left with the choice of selling several first team-stars or potentially taking the club into administration

The likes of Jordan Pickford, Amadou Onana, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil could all be moved on to raise funds. 

And United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to take advantage of Everton’s money troubles by signing Branthwaite for a fee significantly below his asking price, with Everton finding themselves in a difficult bargaining position. 

Centre back has been identified as a priority position for United to strengthen this summer after Erik ten Hag was unable to rely on a consistent partnership in 2023-24.

Lisandro Martinez missed the majority of the campaign through injury, while Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane suffered multiple fitness setbacks.

Varane will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires next month, but ended his…