Manchester United are set to sign a centre-back this summer – the question is over who the preferred signing may be.
One prominently linked target is Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, with the defender enjoying a breakthrough season as a Premier League regular.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano insists Manchester United’s interest in the defender is genuine, speaking to The United Stand.
But he says there is still no clarity over whether he is actually the club’s number one target for the position. Romano says there are alternatives in play.
Manchester United transfer options
Everton’s asking price for Jarrad Branthwaite remains unclear, and Manchester United will not want to pay over the odds for a player who is still developing.
Romano says there are three potential alternatives who he knows Manchester United are interested in.
These are Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, Juventus’ Gleison Bremer, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
He said: “I would keep mentioning Jean-Clair Todibo, a cheaper option. From what I’m hearing it could be something like £40 million.
“Then there is Gleison Bremer, he has a release clause active in summer 2025 but Juventus are prepared to discuss this summer in case that money comes to the table.
“I would keep an eye on other potential names for example Edmond Tapsoba is a player they have been scouting for a long time at Bayer Leverkusen, but he is going to be very expensive I think.
“Manchester United are working on different profiles to decide the player they really want, and the manager is going to be important.”
Tapsoba signed a new contract last summer and is now a Bundesliga champion, but Romano did go on to say he believes ‘Bayer Leverkusen have to sell one player’ for financial reasons.
Manchester United transfer budget unclear
Manchester United’s transfer budget for next season is unclear, and will be influenced by player sales, which will be necessary with the team unlikely to qualify for the Champions League in 2024/25.
How much of this will United be able to spend on a defender, with a striker, midfielder, and possibly a new left-back needed to?
United may even need more than one centre-back, with both Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans’ contracts set to expire.
Todibo at £40 million is an intriguing option, and United have the inside track to a deal with Ineos in control of Nice.