MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly 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 defender last month.
It is believed that they are demanding about double that fee for graduation from the academy.
United have reportedly 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 hurdle, although things could start to progress soon.
O Daily Mail says it has submitted an enhanced offer worth £45 million, plus a potential additional £5 million in add-ons.
They “hope the increased bid can attract their Premier League rivals to the negotiating table” as they look to secure one of their top targets.
And they intend to make her the first of four possible new additions to Erik ten Hag’s squad.
United bosses held a recruitment meeting yesterday to also discuss moves for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Old Trafford chiefs hope a fee of £43m will bring 24-year-old Dutch defender De Ligt, who played for Ten Hag at Ajax, to England.
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Meanwhile, negotiations with fellow Dutch star Zirkzee are at an advanced stage as he has a £34m release clause with his Italian club.
United’s other “priority position” to strengthen is defensive midfielder.
Uruguayan international Manuel Ugarte, 23, is one of Paris Saint-Germain’s main targets.
We also revealed yesterday how England’s Euro 2024 star Marc Guehi will be another if they can’t find a move with Everton for Branthwaite.
However, United need to release some players to comply with top-flight profit and sustainability rules.
And this update claims that “Mason Greenwood could be the first player to leave” after Marseille offered £27m “along with the offer of a significant sell-on clause” for him.
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The striker, who was named player of the season while on loan at Getafe in LaLiga last season, spoke 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 that the likes of Lazio, Atlético Madrid and Valencia are interested in 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 £40 million.
Chelsea have had a £42m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Samu Omorodion rejected by the Spanish club, who are hoping for at least £70m, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
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