Man Utd step up transfer talks for three key INEOS targets after £43m setback

Manchester United have stepped up talks for three of INEOS' top summer transfer targets as Everton continue to play hardball over Jarrad Branthwaite.

The England international central defender remains United's priority this summer but there has been little movement since the Red Devils saw an opening bid worth £43million with add-ons rebuffed.

Branthwaite is waiting for movement between the clubs but United have threatened to walk away from the deal - communicating to Everton that they will not be matching their £70m valuation.

But there are other plates spinning at Old Trafford and Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, who played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, is another name of strong interest.

Talks are progressing with the Dutchman's entourage and Bayern are said to be willing to sell ahead of Jonathan Tah's impending move to the Allianz Arena from Bayer Leverkusen.

United have also had further contact over deals for Joshua Zirkzee and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte in the past 48 hours.

A deal is there to be done for Netherlands international striker Zirkzee - currently at Euro 2024 with De Ligt - providing his £34m release clause is matched.

There are still six weeks left to run before it formally expires in mid-August and while AC Milan remain keen on the player, they are unwilling to pay the agent fees desired by Kia Joorabchian.

Zirkzee is very much open to joining United and is understood to have spoken personally with Ten Hag with the United boss poised to sign a new contract after surviving INEOS' end-of-season review.

PSG are ready to sell Ugarte, who they signed from Sporting CP for £50m last summer, but a deal is unlikely to be concluded any time soon as the Uruguayan is currently at the Copa America.

However, Ugarte is firmly on United's radar and is viewed as the ideal replacement for Casemiro, who is expected to depart for Saudi Arabia.

Luis Enrique is prepared to sanction the lynchpin's exit as the 23-year-old was in and out of PSG's starting lineup throughout the course of his debut season in France.

Old Trafford chiefs had been considering a shock swoop for West Ham's Edson Alvarez, who also played under Ten Hag in Amsterdam, before the Mexican suffered a serious hamstring injury at the Copa America earlier this week.

United are also looking into the signing of a left-back with Girona's Miguel Gutierrez among the key names of interest. On outgoings, Raphael Varane is in talks with Como over a possible free transfer with his United contract due to expire imminently.