Everton boss Sean Dyche has firmly denied that the signing of Jake O’Brien will facilitate the sale of Jarrad Branthwaite to Manchester United.
The 22-year-old has been on United’s shortlist for over a year, with Erik ten Hag keen to bring in another centre-back following the £52million signing of Leny Yoro.
Matthijs de Ligt and Antonio Silva have also been linked, but it is said Branthwaite has already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils and is refusing to sign a new Toffees contract.
However, Everton are holding firm on their £70m valuation of the England international, previously rejecting a £50m bid for the player who just missed out on a place at Euro 2024.
And despite now having a replacement for Branthwaite, Dyche is adamant his star player will not be leaving Goodison Park this summer.
