With the opening of the perennial Premier League Summer Transfer Window signalling speculation throughout clubs, several reliable sources have set an early sign regarding the intentions of Manchester United.
Transfer-whizz David Ornstein has confirmed the Old Trafford giants are in the running for Everton central defender Jarrad Branthwaite and have tested the waters with an opening offer of £35 Million.
Per his report in the Athletic, The Toffees have deemed the fee unacceptable, with the club expected to demand a premium price for the 21-year-old.
The offer observes a week of positive news for United, with confirmation of Erik ten Hag remaining as manager, followed up with a welcome project to commence on the redevelopment of Carrington facilities on Monday.
But why are the 20-time champions hunting for the England man, and what can supporters expect from his arrival should a deal be completed this summer?
A defensive prospect to lead from the back for over a decade
At 21, Branthwaite has completed a memorable campaign with 41 appearances for Everton across all competitions.
It comes after a successful loan stint with Eredivisie outfit PSV the previous year, clocking up 36 senior appearances as an aspiring talent.
The Wigton native impressed throughout 2023-24 with a collection of colossal performances that signalled the emergence of a possible generational talent.
When analysing his defensive traits, his metrics rank head and shoulders above his age category throughout European football, catching the eye of scouts across the continent.
With the departure of Raphael Varane from Manchester, the prospect of a partnership with Lisandro Martinez has left supporters purring, with the ambipedal English international offering a complimentary range of traits.
A look at the numbers
When you digest the figures – focusing specifically on his defensive capabilities – we are comparing these against the finest defenders in Europe.
His height is a primary factor, and his aerial dominance is similar to Varane – with 2.72 aerial battles won per 90 minutes, ranking in the top 18 percentile across the ‘big five’ leagues.
Additionally, he supplied 1.44 interceptions and 1.91 tackles per outing, with a rank in the top 19 percentile – highlighting his strengths in the backline.
His positional awareness is notable, with 4.71 clearances per 90′ and 1.47 blocks – ranking in the top 25 percentile against the best-performing central defenders.
One area of uncertainty is his ability to distribute possession in an attack-orientated side. At Everton, much focus has been on repelling attacks and adhering to a Sean Dyche tactical approach.
With Ornstein’s confirmation of United’s interest, supporters can be as sure as anything that the reports are accurate.
In Branthwaite, the Old Trafford faithful could welcome an English talent with a pedigree to grow towards excellence in a dressing room of world-class talent.
Would you welcome the player with open arms? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
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