Manchester United eye £40m transfer deal to beat Real Madrid in race for wonderkid: report

Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newport County and Manchester United at Rodney Parade on January 28, 2024 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United are reportedly preparing to steal the initiative in the race for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, amid stiff competition from Real Madrid.

The 21-year-old centre-back has impressed in the Premier League after making a name for himself on loan in the Eredivisie at PSV last season.

And Manchester United appear to have identified him as a top target in their pursuit of a new defender.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 2: Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Everton FC at City Ground on December 2, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is wanted by big sides (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Red Devils are readying a £40m approach for Branthwaite, who joined Everton from hometown club Carlisle United four years ago for what now looks like a bargain £1m.

However, FootballTransfers claim that the Toffees value the England U21 international at almost double that amount.

With the January transfer window closing on Thursday, February 1 at 11pm, it seems unlikely that United would be able to get a deal over the line before the summer.

Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, looks on during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at Etihad Stadium on May 17, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Real Madrid reportedly want Branthwaite, too (Image credit: Getty Images)

Branthwaite has firmly established himself in the Everton first team this term, starting 18 out of 21 Premier League games for Sean Dyche's side as they look to stave off the threat of relegation.

It's been a momentous 12 months for six-foot-five enforcer, who lifted the Dutch Cup with PSV last season – despite scoring an own goal in the final against Ajax – then helped England to European Under-21 Championship glory.

Everton teammate James Tarkowski has tipped Branthwaite to make the England senior squad by the end of 2024.

More transfer stories from FourFourTwo

Man United have been linked with a wonderkid already on Liverpool's radar and the Red Devils look to have received a boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise.

Meanwhile, Chelsea stand to make an historic loss with the potential sale of Romelu Lukaku.

Elsewhere, Arsenal could rival another Premier League club in the race for a highly-rated midfielder.

And Pep Guardiola has made some controversial remarks on Manchester City's transfer plans.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...