Manchester United returned for pre-season training on July 8 and more Premier League clubs will be doing the same this week.
While it is normal practice, in the silly season of transfers, it is worth keeping an eye out on potential transfer targets as it can often give a clue about where they stand with their contracted club.
For example, it was recently reported that Sofyan Amrabat has been omitted from Fiorentina’s pre-season planning amid his links to United after a mixed loan spell ended happily.
Other targets like Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, and Manuel Ugarte are all still on international duty but one other concrete target has made his pre-season decision.
Jarrad Branthwaite makes pre-season decision
Everton report for pre-season training today (July 9) and United fans were undoubtedly keeping a keen eye on what the status of Branthwaite is.
It has been reported before that Branthwaite feels frustrated at Everton’s stubborn stance on their price tag, putting his move in danger.
However, as pre-season pictures appear from Everton’s training ground, it can be seen that Branthwaite doesn’t want to be too disruptive.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Branthwaite has arrived at Everton for the start of the pre-season training amid United improving their offer for him.
So far, the Toffees have rejected two bids for their star defender and have stuck to the price tag of nearly £70 million, which United might not play ball with.
An issue that might have to be forced
United’s first two bids have been far below what Everton’s public valuation is but it could all be a part of the club’s plan to unsettle Branthwaite.
The Toffees are no longer in a “must-sell” position after the Profit and Sustainability Rules deadline for the year went by on June 30.
Therefore, they are in a strong negotiating position and intend to squeeze the maximum out of United in any deal. On the other hand, United are determined to get rid of “United tax” this summer after overspending on players under the Glazers.
Bidding twice to make their interest formal can potentially turn Branthwaite’s head and lead to him taking steps to force through a move. So far, as he has returned to pre-season training, an approach of “wait and watch” might have been taken but if it goes for long, the player might get twitchy and agitated.
It is that situation that United could be waiting for. In the meantime, they have strengthened their own hand by moving quickly for Matthijs de Ligt and promoting Jack Kingdon to the first team as they bolster their numbers at the center of defence.
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