Everton are seemingly ready to play hard ball over Jarrad Branthwaite as Manchester United continue to pursue a potential deal for the England defender. However, with such an eye-watering £80million fee said to be demanded for his signature, United ought to go with Gareth Southgate’s gut feeling instead.
Branthwaite is certainly a top-level player in the making. The 22-year-old is well known to the returning Ruud van Nistelrooy from their time together at PSV Eindhoven and the centre-back – nurtured in some part by that spell in the Eredivisie – boasts a playing style typically aligned the Dutch.
England went so close yet so far at Euro 2024 this summer. Despite some underwhelming performances – certainly in the group stage and early knockout rounds – Southgate’s Three Lions reached a second major final in three years and went closer than anyone else before to finally bringing it home.
A few kicks away from sporting immortality, England were ultimately left crushed by a brilliant Spain team and the boys of 1966 remain on a pedestal all of their own. It has to be said, though, any finger-pointing and heavy criticism along the way typically focused on a lack of spark in attacking quarters.
In the main, Southgate’s side were solid enough in defence – before Spain carved them open – and Marc Guehi was among England’s best performers in Germany if not the pick. It was his inclusion – not to mention one or two others – that kept Branthwaite off the plane following a breakthrough season.
Injury to Harry Maguire opened up an opportunity and Guehi took that with both hands (or feet). The 24-year-old – subject to mooted interest from Liverpool this summer – excelled and added a few £ signs to any potential transfer fee as Crystal Palace weigh-up whether or not to cash in on him.
On the proviso Everton hold firm and Liverpool hesitate, United clearly have enough funds set aside to hijack that would-be swoop and perform a U-turn in the market. With not much to choose between the two pre-tournament, Guehi has subsequently edged clear of Branthwaite and justified Southgate’s 50-50 decision.
Guehi replaced Maguire in the starting XI and proved he had the right mentality – not only ability – to mix it on the biggest stage and cope with all the pressures that come with being an England player. United have every reason to follow that international call and ink the Palace man in for Maguire’s shirt at club level.
