Jarrad Branthwaite has signed a four-year deal with Everton amid interest from both Manchester United and City.
The Red Devils had added Branthwaite to their centre-back shortlist, which also contains Antonio Silva, Edmond Tapsoba and Jean-Clair Todibo, as the board looks to bolster Erik ten Hag’s options in the January transfer window.
Mail Sport reported earlier this week that the two Manchester clubs were monitoring the 21-year-old, who had been in talks over a new contract with the Toffees for some time. The deal is unlikely to deter outside interest in him, though.
Branthwaite impressed during his season-long loan spell at PSV last term – where he played under United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy – so much so that the Eredivisie outfit tried to pursue a permanent transfer, but Everton declined.
United planning ahead to January
United are keen on strengthening the team in the winter after injuries have continued to plague the squad since the season began. In the backline, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez are all long-term absentees, while Raphael Varane has been prone to fitness issues since he arrived at Old Trafford.
