Manchester United look set to welcome Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to their ranks by the end of today, assuming the Bayern Munich duo pass their medicals.
After putting pen to paper on his five-year contract, De Ligt will become the Reds’ second centre-half signing of the summer, following latest recruit Leny Yoro’s move from Lille last month.
Both players have been necessary, too, given that last season’s debilitating and unprecedented injury crisis hit the backline the hardest. Such issues resulted in Casemiro having to deputise in central defence while evidently struggling to operate out of his comfort zone.
As such, INEOS chiefs may not stop there with the defensive acquisitions. A fresh report from Football Insider today claims that United plan to reignite their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite by sending a £60 million bid Everton’s way this week.
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The ‘colossal’ 21-year-old has already been the subject of two failed Red Devils bids after they failed to meet the Toffees’ £80m asking valuation.
However, with the club still navigating a precarious financial situation – even more so since their proposed takeover fell through – they may opt to cash in while the offer is on the table.
Branthwaite, now a senior England international who has over 100 professional matches under his belt, agreed personal terms with United almost two months ago but is keen to respect his side’s demand and hasn’t pushed for a sale.
Spending £60,million on Branthwaite would not be a waste, but you must consider that they will need to spend £50, million on Ugarte or Zubimendi (? on his way to Liverpool ?).
With De Ligt, Martinez, Yoro, Evans, Maguire, and Lindelof, plus youth players, United would need to sell both Maguire and Lindelof for the purchase of Branthwaite to make sense. Unless they think that his price will increase substantially within the next year?
Give me a CDM and I’ll be a happy fan. Having said that ,the Ineos guys keep surprising me , Utd already in a better shape than last season