Man Utd to make Jarrad Branthwaite decision at 'recruitment meeting'

Key figures at Manchester United will hold a 'recruitment meeting' on Monday, during which they will decide whether to make a new offer for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, a report has claimed.

United have already had on opening bid for Branthwaite knocked back by the Toffees. The Red Devils' first offer is said to have been worth an initial £35m plus add-ons - roughly half of Everton's £70m asking price.

Mail Sport report the top brass at Old Trafford plan to reconvene on Monday to discuss their summer transfer plans, and a fresh bid Branthwaite will be on the agenda.

Another centre-back United will discuss is Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt, who is keen on joining the Red Devils - 90min understands he is even willing to take a pay cut to get a move over the line, while United could yet acquire two central defenders this window.

Reports on Sunday claimed United were edging closer to the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, and this deal will too be discussed at the recruitment meeting. United have the option of triggering the £34m release clause in his Bologna contract, with noises out of Italy suggesting this is the most likely outcome.

United are also in need of selling players and they are hoping to bring in a significant fee for Mason Greenwood. The club are waiting on follow-ups from Lazio, Juventus and Marseille after they expressed initial interest.

Donny van de Beek is set to join La Liga side Girona for a cut-price £450,000 deal, though add-ons could see this sum rise to a more palatable £16m. United purchased him from Ajax in 2020 for £35m and he has only played 26 games for the club since reuniting with Erik ten Hag.

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