BREAKING NEWS: Live from Old Trafford, Manchester United move for Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite almost a done deal. As it look a deal will be reached in fews days according to reports. United are in need of a centre-back and it looks like United have gotten this one done. Jarrad Branthwaite move to Manchester United soon to become reality.

Everton have placed an extremely high valuation on Jarrad Branthwaite, signaling they would require a fee that would make him one of the priciest centre-backs globally to even consider selling him.

The Merseyside club is intent on retaining the 21-year-old, who is content to stay at Goodison Park. Concurrently, they are negotiating a new contract with Dominic Calvert-Lewin as part of their strategy to secure key players essential to Sean Dyche’s team.

Branthwaite’s rapid progression has caught the attention of several clubs, including Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in signing the defender. His inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training group hints at a possible spot in England’s squad for Euro 2024.

Everton’s valuation of Branthwaite is comparable to the £80 million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, a world-record fee for a centre-back, or the £77 million Manchester City spent on Josko Gvardiol last summer, and the £70 million Chelsea paid for Wesley Fofana two years ago.

Despite Everton’s financial difficulties and the uncertainty surrounding their ownership—with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s potential sale to the embattled American investors 777 Partners possibly falling through—they insist there will be no urgent sell-off of players. Any consideration to part with Branthwaite would require a substantial offer.

Branthwaite, who was previously with Carlisle and was voted Everton’s Players’ Player of the Year, secured a four-year contract last October.

In the meantime, Everton is also working to extend the contract of striker Calvert-Lewin, whose current deal expires next summer. They are in negotiations to prevent losing the England international on a free transfer.

After two seasons marred by injuries, Calvert-Lewin made 39 appearances last season. He experienced a 23-game goal drought but concluded the season with eight goals, including one in the 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Liverpool.