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Man United handed huge Jarrad Branthwaite transfer update as new stance emerges

Manchester United’s hopes of landing Jarrad Branthwaite might be revived following the collapse of Everton’s proposed takeover.

On Friday, American billionaire Dan Friedkin pulled the Friedkin Group out of Everton buy-out discussions due to legal concerns over debts relating to former failed takeover hopefuls 777 Partners.

It means the Toffees are placed in a precarious financial position once again, despite the expected £50m sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa, and might be forced to sell Brathwaite against their ultimate wishes.

United have seen two bids for Branthwaite – £43m and £50m – rejected this summer, amid speculation that the board had all but given up on the defender given Everton’s adamant £70m price tag.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has since overseen the arrival of centre-back Leny Yoro in a deal potentially rising to £59m. Personal terms with Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt have also been agreed although a fee with his club has not.

Everton were baffled by United’s decision to splash out such a high fee on 18-year-old Yoro – who is three years younger than Branthwaite, does not have Premier League experience and only had a year left on his deal – after being so reluctant to meet their asking price for their defender.

The Telegraph claims that United still have no plans to meet Everton’s asking price, which they seem unduly steep, but might eventually be prepared to table a maximum third proposal of £55m, and no higher.

It adds that United have set out their budget for De Ligt and would have no qualms in walking away from a deal if Bayern play hardball over the 24-year-old’s fee.

The club are thought to be working with a roughly £50m net spent this summer amid fears of breaching spending rules. At present the net spend is around £80m.

United have so far received just over £15m for the sales of Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala and Alvaro Fernandez, although this figure could rise with add-ons, while Yoro and Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee have cost a combined top-end cost of circa £95m.

MEN Sport revealed earlier this month that United are open to signing as many as three center-backs this window following the exit of Raphael Varane and the expected departure of Victor Lindelof.

It has always been the case that sales would mostly fund arrivals this summer, with a midfielder also wanted before deadline day. Casemiro is widely tipped to leave after a dismal season while United have rejected early bids for Scott McTominay.

Sofyan Amrabat is keen on a return to United following the expiration of his loan from Fiorentina, but it is uncertain whether United will replicate his desire having refrained from triggering his initial £21.8m buy-out clause.

Meanwhile, rumors suggest United have agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain pivot Manuel Ugarte while reports in France claim free agent Adrien Rabiot prefers a move to United over Liverpool following the end of his deal at Juventus.