It is quite unlikely that Jarrad Branthwaite will sign with Manchester United this summer unless Everton is willing to lower their high asking price for the defender, which is estimated to be around £80 million.
Given that the team is looking to replace Raphael Varane, the Red Devils may have to redirect their attention elsewhere as a result.
Victor Lindelof is rumored to be leaving, and Jonny Evans has yet to sign a new contract, so it’s feasible that two new center backs will join Old Trafford this summer.
Sports Mole examines three potential center back options for Manchester United in this article. The team is said to have many names on their shortlist for the current transfer window.
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Man United might not believe that Branthwaite is worth £80m, but they could feel differently about Araujo, who is currently being strongly linked with a switch away from Barcelona
The Catalan outfit are determined to sign him to a new contract, but it is understood that the Uruguay international is stalling, with Man United said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
A recent report claimed that the 20-time English champions would be willing to double Araujo’s current pay packet at Barcelona in order to bring him to Old Trafford.
One of the outstanding centre-backs in world football, the 25-year-old enjoyed a strong 2023-24 campaign for Barcelona, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
Man United will not be the only contenders if it becomes clear that Barcelona are open to a sale, but it would be some statement of intent if the Red Devils were able to secure his signature.
Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice)
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A deal for Todibo looked to be completely off the table when Man United’s new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed that the Red Devils had been blocked from the signing the French defender.
Nice are owned by Ratcliffe’s INEOS company, and the British billionaire said that UEFA had informed the French outfit that they would be unable to sell Todibo to Man United this summer.
However, according to a recent report, the Red Devils have hired a Swiss lawyer “to plead before the Court of Arbitration for Sport”, so a deal is seemingly now possible.
Todibo made 33 appearances for Nice during the 2023-24 campaign, while he has represented the club on 136 occasions in all competitions.
A move to Barcelona in the early stages of his career did not work out, but the 24-year-old now appears ready to make the switch to a major club, and it is not a surprise that the 20-time English champions are seemingly so keen on a deal considering his recent development.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
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Due to Harry Maguire’s injury issues, Guehi was able to start for England at Euro 2024, and this summer, the Crystal Palace defender has been among his nation’s finest.
Guehi had a fantastic 2023–24 season for Crystal Palace, making 32 appearances across all competitions; if not for a knee injury, he would have made even more.
The 23-year-old made a comeback for Palace’s final three Premier League games of the year, and he played a standout role in his team’s 4-0 victory over Man United at the beginning of May.
Guehi’s deal with the Eagles expires in June 2026, so there isn’t any need to worry about it right now, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he signed with a big club soon.
However, Palace is rumored to have set an asking price of £65 million for Guehi, thus a move for the Englishman would be extremely unlikely unless his capital outfit is willing to engage in negotiations.
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