Man Utd offer Jarrad Branthwaite eye-watering salary but huge problem remains

Manchester United have promised to QUADRUPLE Jarrad Branthwaite’s salary should he move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have identified the Everton centre-back as one of their prime targets this summer. And they are so keen on signing him that they are willing to offer him a huge wage increase.

They will offer him a £165k-per-week wage packet at Old Trafford - a huge increase on the £35k he currently banks at Goodison Park, as first reported by The Times,.

It would also see United get close to a new rule introduced by Erik ten Hag. The club have enforced a so-called ‘Ronaldo rule’ that would see players’ salaries limited to £200k per week.

While Man United have already offered terms to Branthwaite, there is one problem remaining - they have not agreed a few with Everton yet. The Red Devils have seen two bids rejected for the defender, the latest worth £45m plus £5m in add-ons.

The Toffees want to receive around £70m for the centre-back. They have demanded that amount having compared the deal that took Wesley Fofana to Chelsea in 2022.

“We don’t want to sell any good players,” Everton boss Sean Dyche said earlier this year. “It’s as simple as that and he’s [Branthwaite] proven to be a very good player. We’re not in the business of trying to sell players.

“You only sell players if you have to sell players or there’s a problem. There’s no problem, therefore I’m just hoping we don’t need to sell players. At the minute, we certainly don’t so we will see.”

While the Red Devils consider a third bid, they have other defensive options in mind. They have already agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich and Netherlands centre-back Matthijs de Ligt.

Man United have also had a bid accepted for Lille starlet Leny Yoro. They have offered £42million for the Frenchman - which is reportedly ‘superior’ to an offer tabled by Real Madrid.

But Yoro has dealt a blow to the Red Devils by revealing that he is holding out for a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. He has already broken his silence on speculation around his services.

An account personating the defender wrote: “I don’t want you @ManUtd. Leave me alone,” to which he replied: “Fake account. You guys are psycho. Signal [report] this account.”

Man United aren’t just keen on signing a new defender. They are also closing in on a deal for Bologna defender Joshua Zirkzee, while PSG ’s Manuel Ugarte is a target for midfield.