DEAL AGREED: Man Utd stunned, as Everton close in on deal for top class defender Ten Hag left disappointed yet again

Everton have apparently begun contract talks with Jarrad Branthwaite, who is regarded to be a top target for Manchester United.

The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the Premier League’s best young centre-backs and seems likely to play an important part under Sean Dyche.

Last season, Branthwaite had a successful season-long loan at PSV Eindhoven. He appeared in 36 games for the Dutch giants in all competitions, scoring two goals and helping them win the KNVB Cup.

Erik ten Hag, as previously reported by TEAMtalk, is a big fan of Branthwaite. He pondered signing the teenager this summer as he tried to add another defender to his Manchester United team, and he has been linked with the club.

and is expected to bring him back in January.
The Red Devils were unable to reach an agreement with Everton in the summer, and they may now have wasted their chance.

Branthwaite started the season below Michael Keane in the Toffees’ pecking order, but has since cemented his place in the starting XI, playing 90 minutes in the club’s last four games.

In Everton’s 3-1 win over Brentford on Saturday, the England under-21 international was outstanding with James Tarkowski. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that Dyche wants to bind him to new terms.

Everton have ‘opened talks’ over a new contract for Branthwaite.
According to The Athletic, Everton have ‘started talks’ with Branthwaite about a new deal in order to deter other clubs from signing him.

The defender’s current contract runs through 2025, with Everton having the option to extend it for another year.
The Toffees are reported to be keen to offer him better terms in order to put his salary in line with that of other first-team players at the club.

Everton consider Branthwaite’s potential as ‘huge,’ but believe he is still maturing at this stage of his career, according to the source.

Following his recent achievements, several Evertonians have compared Branthwaite to a young John Stones, who spent three years at Goodison Park.

Branthwaite might be an important player for the Toffees for many years to come if he can reach the levels that the Manchester City star achieved in his career.

With that in mind, it will be intriguing to see if Everton and the teenager can agree on a new contract before the transfer window reopens in January.

If they can’t, Manchester United will be ready to make a move.