Liverpool very keen on £65m Everton star but Man Utd may get in their way

Manchester United and their arch-rivals Liverpool are set to go head-to-head in the transfer market over Everton's England defender Jarrad Branthwaite. The centre-back has been on the radar of the Old Trafford hierarchy for some time, having previously attempted to lure him away from the blue side of Merseyside. However, when Everton held firm on their valuation, the deal fell through. Despite this setback, United's interest in Branthwaite hasn't waned and he remains their top choice to fill the boots of Harry Maguire.

The England defender, who turns 33 in March, is out of contract at the end of the season and it's anticipated that United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe won't be offering Maguire an extension. United manager Ruben Amorim is preparing for life post-Maguire next season, while also harbouring concerns about the long-term fitness of injury-prone defender Lisandro Martinez.

This situation could see United reignite their pursuit of Branthwaite - but they face stiff competition from Liverpool, who are also very keen on the 23-year-old. Whether Branthwaite would be open to a move across Merseyside remains to be seen, but it hasn't deterred others in the past.

Currently, a switch to Liverpool may seem more appealing than a move to United. However, negotiating with Everton won't be straightforward, given Branthwaite's contract runs until 2030 and he's one of their most valuable assets.

Nevertheless, United may test the waters with a £65m bid in the January transfer window, hoping to get a jump on the Premier League champions. Branthwaite is seen as one of the most promising young talents in English football.

Despite having only a single England cap to his name, he's considered a dark horse for inclusion in Thomas Tuchel's final squad for the upcoming World Cup next summer.