Erik ten Hag steps up six-player Man Utd transfer plan but Tottenham pose problem

Manchester United are set to face competition from Tottenham in the race to sign highly-rated Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Branthwaite, 21, is being eyed by United chiefs to spearhead a youthful recruitment drive led by incoming part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. INEOS chairman Ratcliffe, who's on the verge of becoming a 25 per cent stakeholder in United, received official ratification from the Premier League on Tuesday and it's expected that he'll be given the green light by the FA either this week or not.

Ratcliffe's £1.3billion agreement with the Glazers also hands him control of the Red Devils' football operations and the opportunity to instill his focus of signing homegrown players. Branthwaite is in the midst of a true breakthrough season at Goodison Park, having enjoyed a loan spell with PSV Eindhoven last term working under ex-United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But it's not just the Red Devils who are interested in signing the England hopeful, as the Daily Mail claim that Tottenham have stepped up their efforts to sign him. Arsenal, Chelsea and Spanish giants Real Madrid have also made enquiries, so United supporters will be pleased to know that Branthwaite is just one name on Ratcliffe's six-man shortlist.

Three more up-and-coming young centre-backs have been mentioned during internal discussions such as Jean-Clair Todibo, who plays for INEOS-owned Nice. The 24-year-old Frenchman is part of the best defence in Ligue 1 this season, but it's not just Todibo who's impressing in France's first tier.

18-year-old Lille starlet Leny Yoro is another defensive option for the Red Devils, although they'll likely face competition from Paris Saint-Germain. Benfica's Antonio Silva, 20, is also someone who United are believed to be keeping tabs on.

There's also a focus on signing a Premier League-proven attacker, with Wolves winger Pedro Neto on the list of potential targets alongside Crystal Palace's Michael Olise. It appears that Olise is a more concrete option for Ratcliffe and co, with a release clause - worth in the region of £60million - set to become active this summer.

To do any major deals, however, the Red Devils will need to free-up cash and keep themselves away from any trouble relating to Financial Fair play.

Two big names who could be off United's wage book by July are Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial, both of whom are out of contract at the end of this season. Manager Erik ten Hag insists that decisions haven't yet been made but, especially in Martial's case, it's looking increasingly unlikely that the Red Devils will extend either of the duo's stays.

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