Manchester United reportedly retain an interest in Jarrad Branthwaite as they begin planning changes to their defence next summer.
Everton have become accustomed to speculation surrounding the England centre-back, with United having already tried and failed to sign him in 2024. According to talkSPORT transfer correspondent Alex Crook, their interest has not disappeared.
Man Utd still watching Jarrad Branthwaite
Crook reports that United are keeping a close eye on Branthwaite’s form this season as they consider changes to their back line in 2027. The 24-year-old is said to remain on their radar, although talkSPORT acknowledges he would not come cheaply.
There is a very good reason for that. Branthwaite signed a new five-year Everton contract in July 2025, tying him to the club until the end of June 2030. It was a significant commitment from a player who had been the subject of two rejected United bids only a year earlier.
The second of those offers was worth around £45m, with Everton valuing Branthwaite at considerably more. He subsequently chose to extend a contract which had previously been due to expire in 2027. Branthwaite has also made an impressive start to this season after the injury problems which disrupted much of the previous campaign.
He was excellent in Saturday’s goalless draw at Tottenham, helping Everton withstand sustained pressure and collect a clean sheet. United retaining an interest is hardly a surprise given their previous attempts to sign him.
But there is a considerable distance between keeping tabs on a player and persuading Everton to sell one of their most important assets. Branthwaite is contracted for almost another four years, and there is no suggestion Everton are looking to sell him.
United may still admire him. Everton, though, have given themselves little reason to be concerned by that admiration just yet.
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