Manchester United have made a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite thought to be in the region of £45m plus £5m in add-ons.
Everton had turned down a first bid from United, which fell considerbly short of their valuation of the defender, with one source suggesting the offer was worth £35m plus add-ons.
Branthwaite played 35 times for Everton in the Premier League last season although was cut from England’s Euro 2024 preliminary squad.
Recruiting in the heart of defence has been marked as a priority for FA Cup winners Manchester United this summer, with Raphael Varane among the players leaving Old Trafford at the end of last season.