Man Utd transfer target signs five-year deal after £50m bid failed in huge blow

 Manchester United have been dealt a blow after Jarrad Branthwaite signed a new five-year contract at Everton, keeping him at the club until 2030.

The 23-year-old centre-back, who had been the subject of interest from Manchester United last summer and again this window, has opted to remain with the Blues.

United launched a number of bids for the England international this time last year, seeing an opening bid of £35million plus add-ons and a second bid of £45m plus £5m in add-ons, both rejected.

Everton's hefty price tag of £70m put the Red Devils off the deal, as they instead signed Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich for £42.9m. United have been rumoured to make another move for Branthwaite, but that speculation failed to pick up pace, and a deal never looked likely.

Branthwaite's decision is a significant coup for the Toffees, especially after he claimed the Young Player of the Year award for the 2024-25 season, having previously won both the Young Player and Player of the Year accolades for 2023-24.

Upon signing his new deal, the 23-year-old expressed his delight: "I'm over the moon. It's been something we've been talking about since the end of the season and to get it signed now is something I'm really excited about."

Branthwaite attributed his decision to the trust the club has shown in him, as well as the number of games he's played over the past two seasons, making it an easy choice to stay and continue his development as a player.

He added: "I know the Club. I feel loved by the players – we've got a good group here – and the fans. Over the past few years, I've seen the impact the fans have on us as a team and how much it means to them.

"And, obviously, with the new stadium we've got here, the new ownership and the new manager, it's an exciting project and it's something I want to be part of.

"Moving to the new stadium together and having that first game at home is something we're all looking forward to. We want to go again and push for a good season."

Everton boss David Moyes expressed his delight at the deal, saying: "We're delighted Jarrad has committed his future to us. He is still only 23 and his best years are hopefully still ahead of him.

"We believe he can have a huge role to play in an exciting new era at the Football Club."