Ratcliffe and United slammed over Branthwaite as new Everton stance shared

Keith Wyness has branded Manchester United's offer for Jarrad Branthwaite as "ridiculous" and believes Everton are now in a position of strength over their most-valuable asset

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Man United slammed over Jarrad Branthwaite transfer as Everton stance revealed

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Keith Wyness believes Everton are now in a position of strength over Jarrad Branthwaite after branding Manchester United’s offer for the club’s most-valuable asset as “ridiculous.”

Sources close to the Red Devils had claimed Old Trafford chiefs were confident of landing Branthwaite before the end of football’s financial year on June 30 but their opening bid of £35million plus add-ons was rejected out of hand by Everton. The Blues insisted that they would not be bullied into selling the England international on the cheap with claims of a Goodison Park ‘fire sale’ this summer wide of the mark.

Given the £80million fee that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, the £75million Chelsea paid for Wesley Fofana in 2022 and the £77million Manchester City paid for Josko Gvardiol in 2023, Everton consider Branthwaite to be in the same bracket. They have remained adamant they are planning on keeping the centre-back and are actively planning for him to be with them next season, unless a mega offer comes in.

Now that we are into July, Wyness, who served as Everton’s chief executive between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, concurs with the sentiments of last weekend’s Royal Blue column by insisting that the Blues now hold all the cards when it comes to making a decision over Branthwaite. He told Football Insider: “Now we’re past the 30 June deadline, they’re in a position of strength.

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“From what I’m told, Everton can refuse ridiculous offers, like the one they received for Jarrad Branthwaite from Manchester United. The whole football community can agree on that, and it hasn’t done United or (Jim) Ratcliffe any favours.

“He’ll learn as he goes on – you can’t do that kind of thing. I’m hoping the Branthwaite situation will be resolved with him staying past this summer deadline.”

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