Man Utd agree personal terms with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite

Manchester United are hoping to strike a deal with Everton for Jarrad Branthwaite after agreeing personal terms with the England defender.

Everton are holding out for at least £70million for Branthwaite, which is significantly higher than United’s valuation, but the club, who are also pursuing a deal for Lille centre-half Leny Yoro, are hoping a compromise can be struck.

United have identified Branthwaite, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man England squad for the Euros, as a primary transfer target following the departure of Raphael Varane. But they could also sign another centre-back should Harry Maguire or Victor Lindelof exit this summer, with Yoro of real interest, despite fierce competition.

Liverpool and Paris St-Germain are also interested in the highly regarded 18-year-old , although Real Madrid are thought to be his most likely destination in the event the player leaves Lille this summer. He has a year left on his contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Jean-Clair Todibo, of Nice, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, and Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea, are the other central defenders United have looked at. Jonny Evans could be given a one-year contract extension to provide centre-back cover for another season.

A centre-half, holding midfielder and a striker are United’s priorities this summer. They have strong interest in Joshua Zirkzee but face stiff competition for the Bologna frontman.

Antony Martial’s departure has left Rasmus Hojlund as the only senior out-and-out striker available to manager Erik ten Hag.

Zirkee is not the only forward option interesting United but they are among a number of clubs considering triggering his €40million (£33.8million) release clause. AC Milan and Juventus are also keen on the 23-year-old and it remains to be seen whether United’s interest prompts Arsenal to make a move following their top target Benjamin Sesko’s decision to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig. Telegraph Sport first reported Arsenal’s interest in Zirkzee in January.

Bayern Munich could yet complicate the situation around Zirkzee should they opt to exercise a buyback clause they had inserted when they sold the 6ft 4in Dutchman to Bologna in August 2022.

United, who were comfortably the lowest scorers among the Premier League’s top eight last season and finished the campaign with a negative goal difference, know they must strengthen in attack and feel Zirkzee’s age, profile and price tick a lot of boxes.

Zirkzee was a late call-up on Wednesday to the Netherlands squad after Ajax striker Brian Brobbey suffered an injury scare in training and found out the news while on holiday at Walt Disney World in Florida.

As yet uncapped at senior level with the Netherlands, Zirkzee played a key role in helping Bologna to qualify for the Champions League last season when he scored 11 goals in 34 Serie A appearances and is highly rated by manager Thiago Motta, who has since departed Bologna for Juventus.

He often impressed as a false nine in Motta’s system and, despite his size, is an accomplished dribbler able to drop and run from deep, comfortable with both feet, and also adept at holding up the ball and bringing team-mates into play.

United have a net budget of about £50million this summer, plus whatever they can raise in cash through sales. Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho are two players United are actively looking to sell, with the forwards each valued at £40million. In Greenwood’s case, any sale would represent pure profit on the books given his status as an academy graduate.

There is strong interest in Italy in Greenwood, with Juventus - who are also admirers of Sancho - Lazio and Napoli keen on the 22-year-old striker, who spent last season on loan at La Liga club Getafe. Atletico Madrid are among the Spanish clubs monitoring the situation.

Like Juventus, Borussia Dortmund hold an interest in both Greenwood and Sancho but are thought to favour loan moves. Sancho spent the second half of last season on loan at the Bundesliga club.

United are prioritising straight sales at this stage, but may consider a loan for one of those players should it come with an obligation to buy.

A defensive midfielder is the other priority with Casemiro, who is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, likely to depart. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is out of contract next summer, and midfielders Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek, may also leave. Offers for other players will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with only the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Hojlund off limits to suitors.

United are big admirers of Palace’s wide forward, Michael Olise, but they have other positions to address first, although the potential departure of wingers such as Sancho and Antony could bring him into play.