ManU 'ready to meet Branthwaite's valuation to make him next defensive kingpin'

Manchester United are reportedly willing to stump up more than £50million to land top defensive target Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.

The Sun claims that United bosses are still eager to sign Branthwaite, 22, despite Everton refusing to play ball last summer.

Everton rejected two bids from United in the summer, including the second offer of £45m plus £5m in add-ons, as they wanted £70m.

But Branthwaite, whose contract expires in 2027, is apparently willing to listen to Manchester United - one one condition.

He will only move to Old Trafford if Ruben Amorim leads them into the Champions League, which he can do via the Europa League.

Branthwaite wants his next move to be to a Champions league club to he can showcase his talents to new England manager Thomas Tuchel at the highest level.

Branthwaite made his England debut in June last year but was excluded from Tuchel's first squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

Earlier this year, Mail Sport's Manchester United Confidential reported that United would turn away from a big-money defensive signing and opt for a cheaper option with potential.

However, that was before Lisandro Martinez suffered a season-ending ACL injury, casting more doubt over his long-temr fitness.

Martinez had already missed large chunks of his first two seasons at Old Trafford due to injury.

In January, United extended Harry Maguire's £190,000-per-week contract until 2026 after his upturn in form.

However, with Maguire having turned 32 this month, United have to have one eye on the next generation of defensive talent.

They did hold talks over the feasability of a bid for Branthwaite in January but ended up tightening their purse strings.

Instead, they spent £29.4m on wing-back Patrick Dorgu and a rather more modest £1m on Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.

Heaven, 18, only recently made his full Premier League debut but had to be stretchered off after getting injured in the 3-0 win at Leicester City.

During the summer Lille's Leny Yoro signed for £52.2m, and Matthijs de Ligt was bought from Bayern Munich for £38.5m plus £4.2m in add-ons, bolstering centre back options significantly.

But Branthwaite continues to be seen as a high-potential player that can be a key future piece of the puzzle in Amorim's back three moving forward.

Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are both out of contract at the end of the season.

The fundamental issue facing United is the need to sell players in order to generate necessary funds to consider buying new ones.