Manchester United’s transfer window in 2025 has hit a bit of a standstill after flying out of the blocks but the long-term plan remains as concrete as ever.
Only Matheus Cunha has arrived by the time Man Utd return for pre-season training, while Diego Leon comes as the exciting unknown.
Bryan Mbeumo might follow them before the first game of the pre-season on July 19, but the slowness of the window hasn’t stopped United from planning ahead.
United in Focus can exclusively reveal that they’re prepared to re-enter talks for Premier League star they ‘still like’. He’s in their thinking.
Lewis Dunk and Jarrad Branthwaite of England during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Man Utd’s latest stance on Jarrad Branthwaite
The Jarrad Branthwaite transfer rumours were brought to a halt recently as he signed a new contract at Everton after almost a year’s worth of links to United.
He could have been the first signing for Ineos at Old Trafford, but Everton didn’t budge from their asking price, and, as a result, he became the first example of the new management walking away from deals.
However, the admiration for the player was clearly there, and the new contract is unlikely to deter United next summer, when the defensive ranks could look very different.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey spoke to United in Focus and said Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez’s futures at United will come into question in the ‘next 12-18 months’, at which point the club going back in for Branthwaite shouldn’t be ruled out.
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He said: “Manchester United still like Jarrad Branthwaite, let’s get that right – but is a central defender key for them this summer, and a left-sider, I don’t believe so.
“I think it will be in the next 12-18 months, as I think the likes of Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez’s futures will come into question.
“Branthwaite has been rewarded for his fine form, and United will keep a close eye on his progress. When the time comes for them to upgrade at centre-half, clearly Branthwaite will be in their thinking.”
Branthwaite’s new contract must have some exit mechanism
After seeing what’s happening to Viktor Gyokeres this summer, or what happened to Harry Kane at Spurs, Branthwaite would likely have an exit mechanism in his contract.
He was priced out of a United move last summer, and regardless of where the club finishes in the table, the lure will remain big.
If United go back in for him next summer, they should do so only if they’re made aware of some exit mechanism by his agent.
Otherwise, it makes no sense for Branthwaite to sign an extension, since his previous one was set to expire in 2027, leaving Everton in a difficult position next summer.
His new deal takes him to 2030, but it would be a massive surprise if he sees it through. The most likely scenario is that he’s agreed on some sort of exit fee with the club in exchange for signing a new deal.
That will be useful for United just in time when they need a new left-sided centre-back, i.e., the summer of 2026.