Jarrad Branthwaite is planning to hold off signing a new contract with Everton after the interest shown in him from Manchester United.
The highly-rated defender, 22, was identified as a top summer transfer target by the top brass at Old Trafford and United moved swiftly to try and strike a deal with the Toffees.
Unfortunately for United, they have seen two bids for Branthwaite rejected after falling to meet Everton's £70million valuation of the player.
United have since signed Leny Yoro after making it clear they would not overpay for Branthwaite, who in turn is set to be offered a new contract by Everton. However, a new report from The Mail notes that he is unlikely to accept a new deal.
While talks are not expected to start until the back end of the transfer window, Branthwaite will hold off signing a new deal unless Everton are ready to match the personal terms he agreed with United, which consisted of a £160,000-a-week package.
Although United remain avid admirers of the former Carlisle United centre-back, they have stepped back from transfer talks after beating Real Madrid to a deal for Yoro.
And while United are open to signing another centre-back this summer - provided they can raise additional funds through player trading - it seems unlikely they will sign Branthwaite unless Everton lower their demands.
Since director of football Dan Ashworth last spoke with his Everton counterpart, Kevin Thelwell, United have turned their attention elsewhere after signing Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.
The Red Devils are now thought to be prioritising a move for a central midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte a top target. Other names linked with United include Adrien Rabiot, who is now a free agent, and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad, while it's claimed United could seek to re-sign Sofyan Amrabat for a more modest fee after declining to trigger the £21.5m option they held to sign the loanee permanently.
United also want to sign a new full-back and potentially another forward, although any business going forward will be dependant on moving out more players. The club have already sold Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala and Mason Greenwood this summer with more outgoing deals expected in the coming weeks.