Manchester United want £75m Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite in summer reshuffle – Paper Round

Manchester United have made Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite one of their transfer priorities in the summer, according to the Mirror. Branthwaite, 21, is tipped to become an England regular and could even be named in Gareth Southgate’s squad on Thursday.

The centre-back is highly thought of, and Everton could therefore demand at least £75m for a player who started his career at Carlisle United before joining the Toffees in 2020.

The Mirror writes: “New United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is in charge of football operations at the club, has already held talks over summer transfer targets and compiled a shortlist. Branthwaite, 21, is at the top of that list, having impressed United scouts and boss Erik ten Hag, despite having only made 31 league appearances for Everton.

“Although Ten Hag's future remains unclear, after a disappointing second season in charge, United will push ahead with a bid for Branthwaite, even if he is sacked. Against the backdrop of stricter financial fair play rules, Ratcliffe is keen to invest in younger, home-grown talents who can provide United with a maximum return on their investment.

“With Raphael Varane expected to leave Old Trafford this summer and Harry Maguire's future beyond this season uncertain, United are looking to strengthen in central defence. Branthwaite, signed by Everton from Carlisle in 2020 for £1m, has emerged as one of the most coveted young defenders in Europe, with Real Madrid also monitoring him.”

Arsenal Women will look to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar in the summer after cooling their interest in Mary Earps, the Telegraph reports. Arsenal had tried to sign the England No 1 from Manchester United, but their approach last summer was rejected.

Earps is out of contract this summer and is yet to decide on her future.

The Telegraph adds: “Netherlands shot-stopper Van Domselaar has a release clause in her contract which is in the region of £200,000 and sources say Arsenal have identified the 24-year-old as a strong target for their summer window.

“Van Domselaar is seen as not only a star of the future but already one of the best goalkeepers in the sport. She played in all five of the Netherlands’ matches at last summer’s World Cup in their run to the quarter-finals, where they were narrowly eliminated by eventual winners Spain after extra time.

“She signed for Villa in June last year from FC Twente on a three-year contract and no decision has yet been made regarding her future. She has repeatedly said how happy she is with the West Midlands outfit.”

Kieran Trippier has opened up to Chronicle Live about Bayern Munich’s approach for him in January.

The Newcastle defender revealed he received texts from Harry Kane, telling the paper: “It's actually crazy, to be honest, because I was in New York and I was woken up at 5am their time saying, 'Bayern Munich want to sign you', so I was like, 'This is a bit random'. I never thought at 33-year-old that Bayern Munich would want to sign me, so it was more of a shock to me than anybody.

“Then I just got on the phone to the manager straight away and to be honest the manager knows the commitment I've got for the club. I never once tried to force a move out of the club. I'm here now and the owners know the commitment I have shown to the club.

“I am here now, the owners know the commitment I showed to the club. I speak to Harry (Kane) all the time. Harry was texting me, of course, but it just wasn't the right thing for me. But I take it as a compliment that a club like Bayern Munich wanted to sign me.

“He wasn't pushing, he was just texting 'Is it true?, just little things like that, really, just telling me it's warmer than Newcastle and having a bit of banter. But no, Harry's a professional, he wouldn't try and tap me up, as we say. There as nothing to say, really."

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