Man United transfer news live Vitor Roque ‘bid’, Oumar Solet battke, Branthwaite latest

United made a bid for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite on the opening day of the summer transfer window.

Except Manchester Evening News understands the Toffees will reject the offer of £35m plus £8m in add-ons – United believing all the add-ons are achievable if Branthwaite reaches his full potential – which is well below their valuation for the highly-rated defender. .

United made the bid on Friday as they stepped up their pursuit of Branthwaite, who is a prime target this summer as the club aim to sign at least one centre-back. If the two clubs can reach an agreement, then personal terms will be a formality.

However, they remain somewhat distant in the ratings at the moment, with Everton finding United’s opening bid unacceptable. Branthwaite is one of several centre-backs under consideration at Old Trafford this summer as Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen that area of ​​the squad.

Raphael Varane will leave the club when his contract expires this month, and Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire could be sold if offers come in. United have monitored Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and are interested in highly-rated Lille teenager Leny Yoro. .

Branthwaite is the main target for now and United could return with a fresh bid for the player who made his England debut this month but was left out of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the European Championship.

He was one of the stars of Everton’s Premier League survival last term, scoring three times in 35 appearances as he impressed in his first full domestic campaign in the top flight. Branthwaite spent the 2022/23 season on loan at PSV Eindhoven.