Manchester United make £45m first offer for Jarrad Branthwaite – but it’s likely to be REJECTED by Everton as they claim 21-year-old is not for sale

Manchester United are understood to have made an initial bid of around £45m for Everton and England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Everton have insisted the 21-year-old is not for sale but recognize that a big offer should be considered amid financial uncertainty.

Everton said they had had no contact with United this morning, but the Old Trafford club have made their first proposal as they look to start negotiations.

United’s offer is likely to be rejected but their decision to sign the left-back is already underway.

United are trying to make him their first summer signing, but must be careful with Financial Fair Play rules.

Negotiations for the English player are expected to take time and not be easy.

Elsewhere, Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, the other club owned by INEOS, remains an option as another centre-back signing this summer, while Bayern Munich defender Mathijis de Ligt has also been linked.

Their transfer budget will depend on expenses, with several players, including Mason Greenwood, set to leave the club.

Signing a centre-back is a priority for Erik ten Hag, with Raphael Varane leaving and Lisandro Martínez dealing with a series of injury problems last season.

Branthwaite impressed Sean Dyche’s side in a breakthrough campaign and was rewarded with an England call-up to Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.

It was therefore a surprise that the left-footed centre-back missed the final selection, especially considering the absence of Harry Maguire, who was left out after failing to recover from an injury.