ŚLIZGAWKA

Manchester United’s ambitions of signing Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton’s England defender, have been given a huge boost after the clubs agreed personal terms with the player’s representatives. United have yet to agree a transfer fee with Everton – who are believed to be holding out for about £70million – but the agreement with the 21-year-old’s representatives is a significant step forward.

The agreement would result in Branthwaite, who just missed out on England’s Euro 2024 squad, being paid between £150,000 and £160,000 a week, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

The signing would be a big statement by United, who this week decided that their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag will remain in charge for next season after the club’s FA Cup final success. Significantly, they are understood to have moved quickly on the day the transfer window opened.

Branthwaite is seen as one of the most in-demand defenders in the Premier League after playing a leading role in securing Everton’s Premier League status despite the club being docked a total of eight points for two breaches of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

However Everton’s financial situation means they may need to cash in on their young star in order to keep within the PSR limit of financial losses for this season.

Branthwaite, who was brought up in Cumbria, is something of a rarity as a two-footed, left-sided, English centre half, which is another reason why Everton may believe he is worth a substantial transfer fee.

At 6ft 4in he is also commanding in the air and has been one of Everton’s top players for tackles and interceptions.

Ten Hag has identified a constant stream of injuries among central defenders as hampering his plans last season — he even resorted to playing the Brazilian midfielder Casemiro in that position. United are believed to be targeting two new centre backs with the France international Raphaël Varane’s contract expiring after three years at Old Trafford and uncertainty around Jonny Evans’s future.

Liverpool and Manchester United are waiting in the wings should Real Madrid’s interest in defensive prodigy Leny Yoro collapse.

The 18-year-old Lille centre back is regarded as generational talent and will be allowed to leave this summer for a fee of around £50million.

Real want Yoro, who attended their Champions League final success over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley two weeks ago, but Liverpool and United are also waiting in the hope a deal stalls and they can pounce.