Man United face fresh Jarrad Branthwaite blow as Arsenal aim to scupper move with £50m bid

Manchester United's hopes of forcing Everton to accept a cut-price fee for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite could be scuppered by the emergence of Arsenal as transfer rivals.

United had an opening bid of £35million for Branthwaite rejected by Everton on Friday. The Toffees value the centre-half at between £70m-£80m and are determined to hold out for a fee closer to their price tag.

United are set to return with an increased offer but MEN Sport understands that they don't believe the defender is worth that asking price.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already indicated that United won't be forced into paying over the odds for players, and that the days of huge transfer spends are long gone. The involvement of Ineos, who have taken over the footballing operation at United, will see a more streetwise and potentially frugal approach to recruitment, with the club determined to get value for money, having spent £1billion on players since their last Premier League title.

The opening bid for Branthwaite is seen as United marking an early line in the sand, in what is Ineos' first transfer window at United. And they hope to take advantage of Everton's need to sell before the June 30 deadline to meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).

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Everton have fallen foul to the regulations twice, with points docked last season. They need to sell a player before the end of the month, with Branthwaite one of their most bankable assets.

However, the Toffees are insisting they want to hang on to their prized asset and are hoping to raise the funds through selling Amadou Onana instead. The powerhouse midfielder is valued at £50m by Everton.

And Arsenal have looked to steal a march on signing the player by contacting Everton over the Belgium international on Friday. Mikel Arteta's side are keen on the 22-year-old and could be willing to match the valuation to get a deal done.

Everton are believed to be much more open to selling Onana than they are Branthwaite. Joe Thomas, Everton correspondent at the Liverpool Echo, said: "While his talent is valued at Everton he has not been at the heart of the plans of Sean Dyche. He was left on the bench for each of the games in the week that redefined Everton’s season when wins over Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford secured safety.

"Should Arsenal follow up contact with a bid before the end of the month then it could damage Manchester United’s pursuit of Branthwaite. The sale of a player before the end of the football financial year would strengthen Everton’s hopes of complying with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Regulations for the first time in three years and therefore avoiding a third points deduction.

"If that was to be Onana then it would help Everton’s ability to withstand efforts to prise Branthwaite from the club for a fee below his true value."