Manchester United expect to wrap up the signing of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this month, with his omission from England's Euro 2024 squad a major boost.
Branthwaite was part of Gareth Southgate's provisional 33-man squad for the tournament, but ended up being one of seven players axed alongside James Maddison, Jack Grealish, Curtis Jones, Harry Maguire, Jarell Quansah and James Trafford.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout season for Everton, having spent the previous campaign on loan at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, and he is top of United's list of defensive targets. The Red Devils are keen to strengthen their back line and are set to push ahead with the deal despite the uncertainty over the future of Erik ten Hag.
According to the Liverpool Echo, United are 'expecting' to seal a deal for Branthwaite before the end of the month. However, Everton will only let the player leave if a huge offer is made for the left-footer.
Talks over Branthwaite's future are set to ramp up after he was dropped by Southgate, with the Football Association (FA) blocking England players from being involved in transfer negotiations while on international duty.
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Now that Branthwaite has left the England setup, United are set to push ahead with the deal. Explaining his decision to axe Branthwaite, Southgate said: "It's a bit early for Jarrad. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
"But of course, in an ideal world, you'd like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don't think it would have been the right call at this stage. At left-back, that's why we've taken what I think is a calculated risk with Luke Shaw, one which I think is worth taking."
United are hoping to wrap up a deal for Jarrad Branthwaite (Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, believes Southgate made a mistake by not taking Branthwaite to Germany."Lots of bigger names than Jarrad Branthwaite have missed out on the England squad, but he should've been picked to go to Euro 2024," he wrote on social media.
"He's England's present and future." If Everton do cash in on Branthwaite, League Two side Carlisle United will be due 15 per cent of the fee thanks to sell-on clause they negotiated when the defender joined the Toffees in 2020.
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