David Ornstein claims Jarrad Branthwaite would be happy to stay at Everton

Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly content to stay at Everton beyond the summer in spite of heavy interest from Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have made reinforcing their defence a major feature of the summer and have been in deep discussions with Bayern Munich for Matthijs de Ligt and have had a bid accepted for LOSC Lille’s Leny Yoro, as they try to convince him to abandon his dream of playing for Real Madrid.

Erik ten Hag’s side first made a summer move for Jarrad Branthwaite however, agreeing personal terms with the Everton defender in the middle of June.

United have already seen two official bids rejected for him and are contemplating whether to send in a third for the Carlisle-born centre back.

Branthwaite is reported to be keen on the move to United and some reports have suggested he is growing impatient with the Toffees’ hard line stance as they hold out for £70 million.

Nonetheless, ultra-reliable journalist David Ornstein on The Athletic’s podcast has claimed that the defender is perhaps not as desperate to leave Everton as has been previously suggested.

Commenting on the deal he claimed, “there were reports previously that he had agreed personal terms with Manchester United, but I’ve got no evidence to suggest that he’s unhappy at Everton, that he wouldn’t be the ultimate professional and continue to progress in his career positively if he stays there.”

Ornstein also questioned how much more United would be prepared to offer for the 22 year old defender.

“We’re going to have to wait and see if Manchester United come back in. I don’t think they’re going to go a huge amount higher from the conversations I’ve had, and then it will become a test of Everton’s resolve. But so far, they haven’t blinked at all.”

There have been reports previously corroborating what The Athletic have said as it was relayed here that he will not force through a move to United, even if Everton continue to reject offers for him.

In addition, it has also been reported that the Liverpudlian side may in fact sell Michael Keane to balance the books and might not need to release the United target for any price.

It is abundantly clear that Ineos are working on multiple deals at a time and will need to act quickly to avoid a drawn out saga that has characterised other summer windows for United.

For this reason, it will be interesting to see when, if and how much the Red Devils’ hypothetically will go to in a third offer as United refuse to be seen to overpay and Everton are desperate to appear to be in control of the deal, refusing to be bullied into making a decision they don’t want to make.

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