Manchester United will turn to French defender Leny Yoro, if no deal can be agreed with Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite.
United have made a final bid of £43m for Branthwaite – and told Everton they will not go any higher. But Everton are holding out for closer to £70m for the England international.
United fear no compromise will be reached, and have made Yoro their leading target as an alternative option to Branthwaite. The Lille star, 18, has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in French football and has been heavily linked to Liverpool and Real Madrid.
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United bosses having been keeping close tabs on Yoro, who is valued in the region of £40m. It’s understood United have sounded out Lille about signing Yoro, who is keen to make the move to Old Trafford.
United’s offer for Branthwaite is made up of £35m plus £8m in add-ons, which are dependant on both the team and individual’s success. Everton have cited United’s decision to spend £80m on Harry Maguire in 2019 as a guide as to how much Branthwaite is worth.
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But United insist that deal was done in a different era before Covid, and the introduction of constraints imposed by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR). United, meanwhile, are considering triggering the £45m release clause of Bologna striker Zirkzee.
The 23-year-old can play in a number of attacking positions, and was recently drafted into the Holland squad for Euro 2024, following injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners. Zirkzee’s arrival at United would push Marcus Rashford close to an Old Trafford exit.
Rashford, who missed out on the Euro 2024 squad, will be sold if any club matches United’s valuation of the 26-year-old, who managed just eight goals last season.