Why Everton are 'baffled' by Man Utd's deal to sign Leny Yoro

Barely any sooner had Everton rejected Manchester United's second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite, the Old Trafford club struck a more expensive overall deal with Lille to sign Leny Yoro.

After an opening offer for Branthwaite worth an initial £35m was knocked back by the Toffees, United went back in with a £50m package that got the same response. Almost immediately, a deal 'in principle' was then in place with Lille for Yoro that will start at £42m and could rise to £52m over time. Some reports even suggest it could get higher still, to £59m, with all add-ons triggered.

With Yoro now on board after some initial hesitancy and a lingering preference for Real Madrid, it's on.

The Manchester Evening News writes that Everton officials have been left "baffled" and "surprised" that United were willing and able to agree such a deal for Yoro. The 18-year-old is out of contract next summer, which is the sole reason Lille are willing to sell him now, and has never played senior international football. Everton also appear dismissive of his age and existing C.V. solely in Ligue 1.

United are thought to have suggested to Everton during early Branthwaite negotiations, when their first offer barely reached half of the Toffees value him at, that this summer's budget is limited to "tens of millions". However, while that may have initially been the case, the Old Trafford club have done a good job with outgoing sales, commanding fees Alvaro Fernandez, Donny van de Beek, Willy Kambwala and, soon, Mason Greenwood, that is boosting the pot. Two huge contracts have also been cut with the summer releases of Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane.

Everton's price tag for Branthwaite is in the £70m to £80m range, influenced by similar deals – Harry Maguire (£80m in 2019), Wesley Fofana (£75m in 2022) and Josko Gvardiol (£77m in 2023).

Despite being on the verge of signing Yoro, United are not believed to have dropped interest in Branthwaite, who successfully played under Ruud van Nistelrooy during a loan at PSV Eindhoven.

The club have been targeting more than just one centre-back, with Matthijs de Ligt also an option. But whether negotiations with Everton, also in advanced takeover talks, will be successful may have taken an indirect hit from the expected £50m sale of Amadou Onana to Aston Villa because there is now less financial pressure on the Merseyside club, a to cash in.

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