MANCHESTER UNITED have allegedly made a new and improved offer to Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Toffees rejected a £35million bid from the Red Devils for the 22-year-old centre-half last month.
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They are believed to be demanding around double that fee for their academy graduate.
United have allegedly already agreed personal terms with Branthwaite and are prepared to give him £160,000-a-week on a long-term contract.
But the transfer fee remains the big stumbling block, although things could soon start to progress.
The Daily Mail claims that they have lodged an improved offer worth £45m plus a potential additional £5m in add-ons.
They “hope that the increased offer might tempt their Premier League rivals to the negotiating table” as they look to secure one of their top targets.
And they are looking to make it the first of four potential big new additions for Erik ten Hag’s squad.
United’s chiefs held a recruitment meeting yesterday to also discuss swoops for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Old Trafford bosses hope that a £43m fee will bring 24-year-old Dutch defender De Ligt, who played for Ten Hag at Ajax, to England.
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Meanwhile, talks for fellow Dutch star Zirkzee are at an advanced stage as he has a buyout clause worth £34m with his Italian club.
United’s other “priority position” to strengthen is a defensive midfielder.
Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte, 23, is one of their top targets from Paris Saint-Germain.
We also revealed yesterday how England Euro 2024 star Marc Guehi is another should they be unable to find a breakthrough with Everton for Branthwaite.
However, United need to offload some players in order to comply with the top-flight’s profit and sustainability rules.
And this update claims that “Mason Greenwood could be the first player heading for the exit” after Marseille offered £27m “along with the offer of a significant sell-on clause” for him.
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The forward, who won player of the season while on loan at Getafe in LaLiga last term, had talks at Carrington on Monday but did not train with the rest of the squad.
He has been told he has no future at United and has the likes of Lazio, Atletico Madrid and Valencia all keen on signing him.
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Kevin De Bruyne has verbally agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, according to reports.
West Ham have signed Wolves defender Max Kilman for a fee of £40million.
Chelsea have had a £42million bid for Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion rejected by the Spanish club who are holding out for at least £70m, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
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