Manchester United will reportedly hold an important recruitment meeting today, with names like Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Jarrad Branthwaite expected to be the names discussed, according to the Daily Mail.
Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has previously reported on Dutch duo Zirkzee and De Ligt looking like moving closer to moves to Old Trafford, as per the below post on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday, while Branthwaite has also been strongly linked as a top target for Man Utd, though not at the £70million asking price Everton are said to be demanding for the talented young English defender, as per a recent report from ESPN.
? Manchester United have green light from both Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt to join the club.
Both players have spoken to Erik ten Hag with Man United now ready to advance on club side in the coming days.
It’s all approved on salary/commission also for Zirkzee. pic.twitter.com/3smr51uuOa
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2024
Zirkzee and De Ligt should be fine signings for United, giving Erik ten Hag more options in defence and attack, but it’s clear that there’s probably room for another central defender like Branthwaite to join as well.
Raphael Varane has just left MUFC as a free agent and will need replacing, but many fans would also argue that Harry Maguire is no longer first-choice material, so also needs replacing, while Lisandro Martinez is a fine player but has proven rather injury-prone.
Branthwaite might not be a £70m player, but United would do well not to give this deal up if possible, and it will be interesting to see the outcome of their discussions today.
There is surely a deal to be struck there as Everton have had financial problems in recent times and may need to sell, with Branthwaite a real opportunity for them to make big money and ensure they remain in line with Financial Fair Play rules after the blow of being docked points for this last season.