£79m Premier League star is on Manchester United’s list of transfer targets but there’s one issue

Manchester United are considering Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as a potential summer signing for their center-back position.

However, his high asking price, reported to be around €93 million (£79 million), is currently deterring them from making him a top priority, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

While United are scouting Branthwaite, he does not appear to be their primary target at the moment due to the significant financial demand from Everton.

While acquiring Jarrad Branthwaite would undoubtedly involve a hefty fee, the question for Manchester United is whether investing in this promising young English talent is worth it.

On one hand, demonstrating ambition to compete for top players is important for the club’s stature.

However, they may hesitate due to past experiences where similar high-priced deals didn’t yield the expected results. Balancing ambition with prudent financial decision-making is crucial for United in this situation.

Indeed, the potential risk of Jarrad Branthwaite struggling to adapt to the higher demands of playing at Manchester United, similar to Harry Maguire’s experience after his move from Leicester City, is a valid concern.

This historical precedent highlights the importance of thorough evaluation and consideration before committing to such significant transfer.

Considering

Considering Harry Maguire’s experience, where the weight of his high price tag seemed to affect his confidence, Manchester United might benefit from exploring cheaper options outside the Premier League, rather than pursuing Jarrad Branthwaite.

Players like Jean-Clair Todibo, Antonio Silva, and Ousmane Diomande present exciting prospects who could be realistic targets for United and other top clubs this summer. Broadening the search beyond the Premier League could offer more value and potentially mitigate the pressure on the player.