Man Utd fans say ‘free Jarrad Branthwaite’ as Everton complete £17million transfer for Lyon defender

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have not given up on Jarrad Branthwaite after Everton revealed their newest signing – defender Jake O’Brien.

Republic of Ireland ace O’Brien has made a £17million move from Lyon to join Sean Dyche ‘s side on a four-year contract.

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His Toffees team-mate Branthwaite, 22, is one of Erik ten Hag ‘s top targets this summer.

And United fans have used Everton’s new signing as a reason for the Toffees to finally allow Branthwaite to move to Old Trafford.

One fan commented on Everton ‘s announcement of the 23-year-old signing: “Free Jarrad Branthwaite .”

While another agreed: “Good now sell Branthwaite to us.”

A third then put: “You need to give usBbranthwaite to pay this.”

Everton chiefs refused to budge on their £70million valuation for Branthwaite earlier this month meaning the defender is set to miss out on a lucrative move unless the Red Devils put in a higher bid.

However, it was revealed last week that the Toffees will compensate him with a massive new deal as he would have earned £160,000 a week at United.

At Everton, Branthwaite is currently on around £40,000 per week.

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If he stays he will play alongside O’Brien next season in Dyche’s backline.

The Ireland international became the Blues’ fifth signing of the summer following the loan return of Jack Harrison and the arrivals of midfielder Tim Iroegbunam and forwards Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom.

The 6ft 6in defender made 32 appearances for Lyon in all competitions last season and scored five times.

He made the move to France from Crystal Palace last August and broke into the team helping Lyon escape the bottom of Ligue 1 to a sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification.

On the move, O’Brien said: “I’m buzzing to have signed for Everton. I’ve been dreaming of this kind of move in the Premier League, with such a historic club. It’s a very exciting move for me.

“Everton is a huge club with a lot of history behind it and there’s a big future as well.

“When the transfer window opened there were other clubs in for me but there was only one club I wanted to go to – it was Everton.”

Dyche said: “Jake further strengthens our talented core of centre-backs and adds competition to our squad which can help us continue to progress.

“He is still young but has earned valuable experience both abroad and at international level, and has many impressive attributes to become a top-quality player for Everton in the Premier League.”

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