Signing a centre-back will be a priority this summer for Manchester United, with several players in that position potentially leaving the club this summer.
Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane are both out of contract at the end of this season and Victor Lindelof has just one year remaining on his deal.
Harry Maguire will also have 12 months left on his contract and there have been doubts over his future at the club for a while now.
The England international has enjoyed a good season on a personal level but there are no guarantees that he will remain at the club beyond this summer, amid reported interest from Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, United have been credited with an interest in signing Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has emerged as one of the Premier League’s exciting prospects.
Now, it is being reported that United could use Maguire in a deal to sign Brantwaite if their interest goes far enough and it materialises into a formal offer.
That’s according to the Daily Star, who say that United are intending on using Maguire to manipulate a deal in their favour, with the Reds keen on signing Branthwaite in an attempt to seriously strengthen United’s backline in the long term.
As per the report, the Goodison Park club are valuing Brantwaite at a staggering £70m but that price could come down if Maguire goes the other way.
It is, however, also reported that the £70m figure could even rise if other clubs show their hand as well following his eye-catching season.
