March 11th 2024.
It seems that Manchester United's new co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has big plans for the club. Ever since his £1.3 billion partial takeover last month, the British billionaire has been vocal about his ambitions to bring the Red Devils back to their former glory. With a clear vision in mind, Ratcliffe has already started compiling a wishlist of potential signings, with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite at the very top.
At just 21 years old, Branthwaite has caught the attention of Ratcliffe and the United board with his impressive performances at centre-back. The young defender has been identified as the club's priority for the upcoming summer transfer window, and it seems that no expense will be spared to bring him to Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe's plans for the club don't stop at just signing players. The 71-year-old has also expressed his desire to knock bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City "off their perch" within the next three years, a goal that echoes Sir Alex Ferguson's iconic rallying cry from 2002. In addition, he has also confirmed his intention to build a new stadium on the site of Old Trafford, showing his commitment to taking the club to new heights.
Despite all the excitement surrounding Ratcliffe's plans, there is still some uncertainty over who will be at the helm next season. While Erik ten Hag is currently in charge, Ratcliffe has yet to publicly throw his support behind the Dutchman. This has led to speculation that United may be considering a move for Zinedine Zidane. However, regardless of who is in charge, the club is determined to make a move for Branthwaite.
According to reports, Branthwaite is seen as the perfect fit for United's style of play and their long-term goals. With an impressive list of potential suitors, including Real Madrid and Tottenham, it is expected that Everton will demand a fee upwards of £75 million for their prized possession. However, United are hopeful that they can secure the young defender for around £50 million.
In addition to Branthwaite, United have also been linked with other young talents such as Benfica's Antonio Silva, Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, and Giorgio Scalvini. This shows Ratcliffe's preference for investing in homegrown talents with the potential to become future superstars. With veteran centre-back Jonny Evans set to leave at the end of the season, there is a clear need for new, young talent in United's defensive line.
Despite all the speculation and excitement, Everton manager Sean Dyche remains unfazed. He is confident in his player and his team's ability to continue improving and developing young talent. "It is a standard process," Dyche stated, "A young player comes into the Premier League, does great and then all these stories start." He also emphasized the importance of not getting in the way of Branthwaite's development and ensuring that he continues to enjoy his football.
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Manchester United and their pursuit of Jarrad Branthwaite. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe at the helm, it seems that the club is ready to make a statement and bring in top talent to help them reclaim their spot at the top of English football. Only time will tell if they are successful in their endeavors, but one thing is for sure, the Red Devils are not holding back in their ambition to dominate once again.
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