Man United want highly fancied £80m defender to succeed Raphael Varane

Manchester United shocked Manchester City in the FA Cup final with an unexpected victory. Erik ten Hag now wants to explore the transfer market to put together a team that could potentially win the Premier League.

Raphael Varane will most probably leave United on 30 June 2024, when his contract at the club expires. The Frenchman did not make the expected impact at Old Trafford, where a promising English talent could become the new defensive leader.

Jarrad Branthwaite has become one of United's targets, with the player open to a summer transfer away from his current club Everton, per Standard Sport.

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Branthwaite is one of England's greatest defensive talents. He came through the youth ranks at Carlisle United before being signed by Everton in 2020.

Everton loaned him to Blackburn Rovers, where he made ten appearances, per Transfermarkt.

Branthwaite was then loaned out to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, where he made 36 appearances in the 2022/23 season. He scored four goals and provided two assists for the Dutch giants (Transfermarkt).

After impressing in the Netherlands, Everton decided to recall Branthwaite to Goodison Park, where he continued his good form and broke through. He made 35 Premier League appearances this season, scoring three goals, according to Transfermarkt.

Braithwaite would cost £80m (€94m, $102) but Everton are keen to keep hold of the defender, who has played a key role in Everton's solid campaign this season under Sean Dyche. The young Englishman "averaged 1.8 tackles, 5.4 ball recoveries and 4.5 clearances per league game this season," per Football Talk.

However, Manchester United will have to fight Tottenham Hotspur, as Ange Postecoglou wants "to sign another centre-back this summer," according to Standard Sport.

If the Red Devils fail to sign Branthwaite, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi would become Old Trafford's new target, GiveMeSport reports.

Where will Branthwaite play next season? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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