Dan Ashworth reportedly wants to bring 22-year-old Everton defender and Real Madrid target Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United next year.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, Jarrad Branthwaite remains on the radar of Manchester United. Dan Ashworth is driving the Premier League club’s move for the Everton centre-back. Recent updates have also linked the 22-year-old defender with Real Madrid.
Jarrad Branthwaite and his career so far
Jarrad Branthwaite has been one of the best young prospects in the Premier League in the last 12 months. The Englishman needed a loan spell with PSV Eindhoven before having the confidence to establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old has turned out over 50 times thus far for Everton while chipping in with four goals and one assist. Branthwaite’s progress at the Merseyside club has not gone unnoticed, helping him break into his national side. The youngster made his international bow for England earlier this year and should soon become the first-choice centre-back for the Three Lions.
Meanwhile, the English defender’s exploits with the Merseyside club have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid. In addition, Branthwaite remains on the radar of Manchester United, with Dan Ashworth pushing to bring the young defensive prospect to Old Trafford next year.
A man in demand
Manchester United attempted to sign Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton in the summer transfer window before a move failed to see the light of day. However, the continued interest in the Englishman is perplexing, considering they bolstered their backline by signing Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt this past summer.
The Red Devils do not need another centre-back unless they part ways with multiple centre-backs in the 2025 summer transfer window. Nevertheless, Dan Ashworth wants Branthwaite at Manchester United, although Real Madrid’s presence in the battle complicates matters. Unlike the Premier League heavyweights, Real Madrid can do with the Everton defender.
With Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on the wrong side of 30, Los Blancos must sign a young centre-back, with Branthwaite a viable target. So, it will be interesting to see where the 21-year-old English international lands next year amid his links with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
