Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite included in Manchester United’s defender shortlist – Paper Round

Manchester United are looking at Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, Antonio Silva of Benfica and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo as potential options for this January.

“Harry Maguire’s future will be up in the air once again in January after he rejected a £30million move to West Ham in the summer. Maguire has played more minutes for England this season than on his three appearances for his club.

“United have a few options in mind, including Antonio Silva of Benfica and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo.

“Branthwaite is another having impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven working with Ruud van Nistelrooy. PSV wanted to buy the 21-year-old in a permanent deal and Manchester City are among the English clubs keeping an eye on him.

“Branthwaite is in talks with Everton over a new contract, but that is unlikely to deter interest in the player if he continues to progress.”

The paper explains: “Luka Modric could play alongside Leo Messi at Inter Miami sooner rather than later, according to the latest rumors circulating around Real Madrid’s Croatian player. His secondary role this season at Los Blancos has fuelled speculation about his departure, and some are even suggesting that the player could leave in the January transfer window in search of minutes and happiness. His substitution at half-time in the defeat against Atletico Madrid and his last two substitutions have added to speculation.

“The truth is that the player stayed at Real Madrid, prioritising the sporting aspect and leaving in the background the economic interest. The Croatian had a great offer from Saudi Arabia but chose to continue competing to play at the highest level, even though he knew that this season, at 38 years old, he would have less minutes than usual in favor of other teammates.

“Just over a month ago, Modric and Beckham also coincided on vacation and uploaded a photo together on the beach that gave rise to all kinds of speculation. The possibility of leaving in January is conditioned to the UEFA European Championship next summer with Croatia, which could condition his departure and delay it until next season. In addition, Real Madrid are a little short of players in their squad, and a hasty departure of the veteran could force them to make a transfer.”

Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe might be willing to take a minority stake in Manchester United, which would see the Glazer family stay in charge at Old Trafford.

“The British billionaire has been in the running with Sheikh Jassim to buy a controlling share of the club from the Glazer family.

“Despite the current owners putting United on the market last November, no deal has been struck and negotiations with both are at a stalemate.

“It has been reported that there are disagreements between shareholders about the club’s £6bn valuation, as well as potential legal issues should a full takeover benefit one party more than another.

“Ratcliffe made a proposal to buy Man Utd for around £5bn earlier this year, as did Sheikh Jassim, but the offers did not satisfy club chiefs.”

Despite Ratcliffe’s interest, the Mirror believes that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is still interested in buying the club outright.

“The Qatari banker hasn’t changed his stance in light of rival Sir Jim Ratcliffe mulling over the prospect of radically altering his proposal in the hope of breaking an 11-month stalemate. INEOS founder and chief executive Ratcliffe is reportedly looking into purchasing some of the Glazer family’s shares floated on the New York Stock Exchange, giving him a 25 per cent stake in United.

“But after five bids from Sheikh Jassim worth up to £5billion, the Glazer family still aren’t convinced and continue to consider minority investment, a strategy which arch rivals Liverpool – who are also American-owned – recently implemented to pay off bank debts. The Glazers have been holding out for £6bn, meaning that Ratcliffe could still end up paying £1.5bn for just a quarter of the club.”