Manchester United is set to offer Everton’s defensive target, Jarrad Branthwaite, a significantly improved contract to compensate for the missed opportunity of a lucrative move to Old Trafford.
Everton stood firm on their £70 million valuation for the one-cap England defender, despite personal terms being agreed upon, which reportedly included a £160,000-a-week salary. Manchester United, however, was unwilling to exceed £40 million plus add-ons, resulting in the 22-year-old missing out on a highly profitable transfer.
In the interim, Manchester United secured Lille’s central defender, Leny Yoro, for £52 million and is close to finalizing a deal for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt, valued at £40 million. Consequently, Branthwaite is expected to start the new season at Goodison Park, earning around £40,000 per week.
Plans are already underway to offer Branthwaite a new contract featuring a substantial pay increase in hopes of deterring any further interest from other clubs. The Wigton-born defender has expressed that he is unfazed by the transfer rumors and is content to continue playing for Everton.
Regarding his aspirations for the 2024-25 season, Branthwaite shared his thoughts on the club’s website: “For me, it’s about applying what I’ve learned from last season and the one before. Last season’s game time helped me gain the necessary experience, and I plan to use that knowledge to keep improving this season. A strong defensive record boosts our confidence as we head into the new season.”
He emphasized the collective effort behind a good defensive performance, stating, “It’s not just the defenders; it’s the entire team and the way the manager sets us up to maximize our chances of winning games and accumulating points. We aim to start strong with a few wins to build momentum for the season.”
Branthwaite remains optimistic about Everton’s prospects and looks forward to contributing to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
