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Manchester United made a massive push this summer to rebuild their defence ahead of the new season.
The Red Devils managed to sign Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Leny Yoro whilst offloading Willy Kambwala and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
However, they missed out on their first choice centre-back this transfer window, with United’s plans to make a fresh bid for him next summer.
The man in question is Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite. However, The Daily Mail have reported that United’s plans are in real danger of being hijacked by rivals Liverpool.
This summer United had a second offer of £50 million rejected for Branthwaite rejected by Everton, who want in excess of £70 million for the 22-year-old.
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United are aiming to try again for the defender next summer, having just spent more than £100 million their duo of new centre-backs.
It’s also understood that the priority for the January window is likely to be for a new forward.
However, Liverpool are believed to be strong admirers of Branthwaite and could potentially move for him in January with a higher fee than United offered thanks to the limited signings this summer.
Despite the recent takeover at Goodison Park, it’s understood that Branthwaite is unlikely to sign an extension to his contract, which currently sees him with Everton until 2027. The Toffees are unable to match the £160,000 a week that United offered him, causing him to want to venture elsewhere.
The defender made his first appearance of the season last Saturday after a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation. As a result, with their star defender back on the pitch, Everton secured their first Premier League win in six games at home against Crystal Palace.
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