Ten Hag stunned as Everton hit Man Utd with significant price hike for star who could finally push out Solskjaer flop

Manchester United hopes of adding Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite to their squad this summer have been seemingly kiboshed by a staggering new valuation placed on his head.

The 21-year-old defender has seen his stock rise significantly in the past 12 months after a year on loan with PSV Eindhoven. Making 36 appearances under then PSV boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, Branthwaite came of age with a series of impressive displays that culminated in them winning the KNVB Cup.

Now back at Everton, it seems his stay on Merseyside will be a brief one amid claims the giant centre-half wants to quit Sean Dyche’s side.

That has led to speculation suggesting he could emerge as a target for both Manchester United and Liverpool, with both sides eager to strengthen their options in central defence.

With just 13 appearances in total for the Toffees – 10 of which have come in the Premier League – it was believed Everton would listen to offers of around £6m for Branthwaite.

However, after seeing his stock rise, Everton have now slapped a hugely-inflated fee of £25m on his head, Football Insider reports.

As a result, that valuation has ended Erik ten Hag’s hopes of landing the 6ft 5 star on a cut-price deal.

That said, there remains a chance that United could still make an approach to lure the star to Old Trafford.

And with Branthwaite seen as a would-be replacement for unwanted United star Harry Maguire, a possible swap deal between the two clubs could yet offer the perfect solution.

To that end, TEAMtalk exclusively revealed earlier this week that Dyche was ready to join the hunt to prise Maguire from Old Trafford.

Man Utd, Everton could agree Maguire, Branthwaite swap

With finances tight at Goodison, it was suggested Dyche was looking to offload both Mason Holgate and Michael Keane to finance a move for Maguire.

However, a swap deal involving Branthwaite and Maguire could present all parties with a perfect solution.

The England defender was an £80m signing by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in summer 2019. However, he has fallen down the pecking order under Ten Hag, slipping to fourth choice, and this summer being stripped of the captaincy.

Subject of a failed £20m bid from West Ham, United are hoping to claw back £35m for his sale. But if United persist with their interest in Branthwaite, a possible trade between the clubs could yet transpire.

Branthwaite’s deal at Goodison, worth a reported £15,000 a week, is due to expire in 2025.

Ten Hag, meanwhile, has been warned that Maguire could make life awkward for United if he’s not moved on.

Raving about the player’s qualities, former England star Stuart Pearce believes he could force the United boss into an embarrassing U-turn.

“I don’t see some of the noise that I hear,” said Pearce. “For England, he’s been sensational, he’s always been Gareth (Southgate’s) first pick.

“He went to the World Cup and had a fantastic tournament, one of the better players there, especially when you consider some of the pressure around him.

“If I was a Premier League manager, I would be doing everything I can to bring Harry Maguire to my football club.

“For what he stands for as a player, his age, experience, he’s comfortable on the ball, and capable of goals in the opposite box – I can’t see any negatives. For me, I would do my level best to get him out of United if I was a manager at another team.

Maguire attitude praised

“It tells you a lot when Ten Hag isn’t saying, ‘I want Harry Maguire moved on’. That tells you his attitude in training is spot on.

“He sees his worth – he doesn’t see him as a first-team starter but whenever you need a game seeing out, he puts Maguire in the heart of defence to make sure they keep the ball out the net.

“When he comes off the bench in the 85th minute, he gets straight into the game. He does the job the manager wants him to do and that says a lot about his character.

“Knowing Harry, if he stays at United, he’ll do everything he can to make life uncomfortable for Ten Hag with his performances to get back into the team.”

In addition to Everton and West Ham, Tottenham are also reportedly keen on the former Leicester man.

Maguire has made 175 appearances, scoring seven times, during his four-year stay at Old Trafford.

READ MORE ~ Mason Greenwood: Controversial Man Utd insider outlines three-point plan to return star to Ten Hag squad