Everton are increasingly confident of winning the tug-of-war with Manchester United over Jarrad Branthwaite after agreeing to sell Amadou Onana to Aston Villa for $64million .
Onana has agreed personal terms with Villa and is due to have his medical this week. Everton paid Lille $44million for the Belgium midfielder two years ago and his sale lessens the need for them to cash in on Branthwaite.
Everton rejected United's second bid of an initial $58million last week and are adamant the 22-year-old England centre-half is worth at least $96million . Onana, 22, was absent when Everton flew to Ireland yesterday for their week-long training camp, culminating in Friday's friendly against Seamus Coleman's old club Sligo Rovers.
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Branthwaite and Dele Alli were present and the former England star and free agent is attempting to win a new contract at Everton. Alli's old deal expired at the end of last month and he needed seven more appearances for the Blues to trigger a $12million payment to his former club Tottenham under the terms of his transfer in January 2022.
Spurs have agreed to waive this sum because it was a clause in Alli's former agreement and the midfielder, who last played for the Blues in August 2022, has almost recovered from the groin strain which sidelined him for all of last season.
Should Manchester United cough up the cash for Jarrad Branthwaite? Let us know in the comments section below.
Everton have already completed deals for Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye since the summer transfer window opened last month and further additions are likely.
The Toffees were one of a number of clubs interested in Hull City winger Jaden Philogene, however, the 22-year-old is poised to rejoin Aston Villa - 12 months after he was sold by Unai Emery's side.
Liverpool.com says : "We've been here before with Manchester United trying to haggle to buy a defender from another Premier League club, only to then relent and pay the full sum of money. Back in 2019, they forked out $97 million for Harry Maguire.
"And unfortunately, if they want Branthwaite, they will likely have to stump up around the same amount. Defenders like Branthwaite, who is left-footed, do not grow on trees. The Everton man is quick, strong and good in the air, everything United need right now. With Everton having agreed to sell Onana, that only strengthens their hand."
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