- Manchester United have made a bid of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for the defender.
- Mason Greenwood’s move to Marseille progresses in a £27m deal
- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROS DIARIO: Gareth Southgate has gone a bit rebellious… and his mask has fallen
Manchester United have submitted an improved offer of £45m plus £5m in add-ons for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
Everton rejected United’s initial offer of £35m last month and are understood to want around £70m for the 22-year-old defender.
But United, who are prepared to offer Branthwaite a long-term contract worth £160,000 a week, hope the higher offer could tempt their Premier League rivals to the negotiating table.
Mail Sport previously revealed that United were holding a recruitment meeting on Monday to discuss a fresh bid for Branthwaite, as well as moves for Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
United are in advanced talks for Zirkzee, whose release clause in Italy is £34m, and hope to agree a fee of around £43m with Bayern for De Ligt.
Manchester United have returned with a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
United have made their move as Mason Greenwood’s move to Marseille progresses
The club’s other priority position in the summer transfer window is a defensive midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte top of the list of targets.
United will have to sell players to balance the books and comply with profit and sustainability rules, and Mason Greenwood could be the first player heading for the exit.
Greenwood is believed to be close to ending his controversial United career after Marseille made a £27m bid with a hefty sell-on clause on offer.
Greenwood held talks with United officials at Carrington on Monday but did not train with his team-mates on the first day of pre-season.
The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Getafe, has been told he has no future at Old Trafford despite attempted rape and assault charges against him being dropped last year.
Marseille have moved ahead of Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Valencia in the race to sign Greenwood and negotiations are at an advanced stage.
Coach Erik ten Hag wants to strengthen his defence for the new season
Donny van de Beek is also on the verge of ending his miserable career at Old Trafford as United are close to finalising terms with Girona for the Dutch midfielder.
United are willing to accept a fee of £450,000 for a player who cost Ajax £35m four years ago, although the deal would include add-ons of up to £16m as well as a sell-on clause.
