Manchester United have increased their offer for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite to £45 мillion plus £5 мillion in potential add-ons. Everton had previously rejected United’s initial bid of £35 millio𝚗 last month and are holding out for around £70 millio𝚗 for the 22-year-old.

United, keen to secure Branthwaite on a long-term contract worth £160,000 per week, hope that the improved offer will entice Everton to reopen negotiations. According to Mail Sport, United convened a recruitment meeting on Monday to discuss not only a revised bid for Branthwaite but also potential moves for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.

Negotiations for Zirkzee, whose release clause in Italy stands at £34 millio𝚗, are progressing well, and United are aiming to settle on a fee around £43 millio𝚗 for De Ligt from Bayern. Another key target for United this summer is a defensive midfielder, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte prominently on their radar.

United’s financial strategy includes selling players to balance their books and adhere to financial regulations. Mason Greenwood appears likely to depart, with Marseille reportedly offering £27 millio𝚗 plus a significant sell-on clause. Despite recent controversies, including charges that were subsequently dropped, Greenwood did not join his teammates for the first day of pre-season training after holding discussions with club officials at Carrington.

Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek is nearing an exit from Old Trafford, with United close to finalizing terms with Girona for the Dutch midfielder. The deal is expected to involve an initial fee of £450,000, potentially rising to £16 millio𝚗 with add-ons and including a sell-on clause, marking the end of Van de Beek’s underwhelming stint at United since his £35 millio𝚗 move from Ajax four years ago.