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Manchester United face battle with Liverpool and Manchester City for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite - Paper Round
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Updated 23/02/2025 at 09:31 GMT
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Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City are all trailing Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, while City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne may look for a move to either Saudi Arabia or the MLS. Elsewhere, Barcelona may yet sell Ronald Araujo after he signed a new deal, and the Glazer family could soon decide to sell the club and edge Sir Jim Ratcliffe out.
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Man Utd want Branthwaite
Manchester United retain an interest in Everton central defender Jarrad Branthwaite, according to The Express.
However, they may face competition from fellow Premier League sides, Liverpool and Manchester City.
The paper writes: "Branthwaite has more than two years left on his deal with the option of an extra 12 months.
"United's interest in Branthwaite is long-standing and reports indicate that they are not ready to abandon their pursuit any time soon. The appointment of Ruben Amorim could have thrown a spanner in the works, but Branthwaite's natural left foot would make him a valuable asset to any manager who plays a back three.
"Their chase could ramp up again in the summer, although Liverpool and Manchester City are also believed to be in the hunt."
De Bruyne needs new club
Fresh from the reports that Pep Guardiola is looking to move on from Kevin De Bruyne as a first-team regular, the Belgian could need to locate a new team.
The 33-year-old is soon out of contract, and a move to San Diego FC may be revisited.
The Mirror explains: "Kevin De Bruyne will have to reassess his plans after Pep Guardiola suggested he wasn’t durable enough to keep up with the demands of modern football.
"Kyle Walker was sent on loan to AC Milan in January, when four young players arrived for £170 million, and it now seems certain that De Bruyne won’t be offered a new deal. That means he will have to change his plans, given he had previously indicated that he wanted to finish his career at City amid interest from the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
"De Bruyne had previously hoped to land a two-year contract extension with City, which would take him up to the age of 35, when he could retire. However, it now seems that his representatives will have to reprise the other options they had explored last year.
"Back in May, it was reported that his agents had held talks with new MLS franchise San Diego FC, while details of preliminary discussions over a potential move to Saudi Arabia emerged shortly after."
Araujo may still quit Barcelona
Despite a new contract that runs until 2031, Ronald Araujo’s short-term future at Barcelona is still unclear.
The central defender has a release clause of around £54 million, which is far more affordable than many of his team-mates.
The Athletic writes: "Ronald Araujo extended his Barcelona deal until 2031 in January with improved terms - but there is more to it than meets the eye.
"Araujo’s lack of recent prominence factored into his new deal. It is the reason the player and club inserted a new release clause in his deal set at €65 million ($68m; £54m) from the summer, as club sources - who, like others in this article, spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships - told The Athletic. That is a major downgrade from the €1 billion release clause Araujo had in his previous deal, signed in 2022.
"Araujo’s new deal was a convenient solution for all parties involved. Barca were struggling to secure the future of a valuable asset and were nearing a position of weakness in negotiations from the summer, when the player would have a year left on his contract.
"The extension secured by Deco now means Barca could cash in on Araujo for a €65 million fee if he decides to leave."
Glazers could sell up at United
There could be a fresh round of upheaval at Old Trafford if the Glazers choose to sell Manchester United in six months.
Should they do so, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could also find himself bought out of the club.
The Sun reports: "Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be forced out of Manchester United this year.
"The British billionaire, 72, invested more than £1 billion to take a 27.7% stake in his beloved Red Devils little more than a year ago.
"However, the Ratcliffe reign at Manchester United could be all over later this year.
"According to Bloomberg, the Glazers have the option to sell the club in six months' time.
"And should they go ahead and proceed with it, they can force Ratcliffe to give up his United [stake].
"The report does add that Ratcliffe would have the option to make his own bid first.
"And it is understood the Ineos chief not only wants to keep his stake - but increase it if the opportunity arises."
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