Manchester United have sent Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite a £70m transfer warning from the former hero

Manchester United legend Andy Cole has warned his former club that they must meet their valuation for Jarrad Branthwaite if they are to prize the Everton defender from Goodison Park.

Everton rejected United’s second bid of £45m plus add-ons for Branthwaite on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after the offer was made. The rejection came three weeks after the Old Trafford chiefs made an opening bid of £35m plus add-ons.

But despite the latest blow, they are expected to bounce back for a third time, although there are doubts whether they are willing to play what the Blues believe their most valuable asset is worth.

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Everton have insisted they will not be bullied into selling the England international on the cheap with claims of a ‘fire sale’ at Goodison Park this summer and have actively planned for him to be with them next season unless a mega mega. Taking into account the £80m fee Man United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £75m Chelsea paid for Wesley Fofana in 2022 and the £77m paid by Manchester City for Josko Gvardiol in 2023, Blues consider Branthwaite. same category, especially given the award for both left-handed defenders and homegrown talent.

Cole, who became the most expensive transfer signing in British football when he joined Manchester United for £7m from Newcastle United in January 1995, won nine major trophies during his time at Old Trafford, including five Premier League titles and ‘The Treble’ in 1999 as the team also lifted the FA Cup and Champions League.

The 52-year-old former striker, who plundered 121 goals in 275 games for the Red Devils, told Betfred: “Ultimately, if Everton want £70m and Manchester United want to pay £70m million pounds, then that’s exactly what it’s worth. It’s as simple as that.

“He’s a very talented left centre-back and there aren’t many of them around. He did a very, very good job for Everton last season and is a player who will definitely improve.

“Most likely in the years to come he will also be England’s centre-back for a few years. He is definitely a centre-back for the future, he did very well to keep Everton up last season and he has a big future ahead of him.”