Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos could potentially be forced to maintain a similar stance to a Manchester United-linked midfielder as they did with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.
Jarrad Branthwaite was linked with Manchester United during the reign of Erik ten Hag and the Red Devils were keen to bring the Everton defender to Old Trafford.
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United had tabled a bid for the 23-year-old English centre-back in the 2024 summer window, with the Red Devils’ initial offer to Everton being worth around £43m.
According to The Times in 2024, the Premier League club’s £43m offer consisted of a £35m transfer fee and the remaining £8m would be made up in add-ons.
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However, United would see their initial bid for Branthwaite rejected before the Red Devils returned to the negotiation table with an improved offer of £50m.
Everton turned down United’s approach for Branthwaite for the second time and the Toffees were reportedly demanding a fee worth around £70m for the player.
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Beto celebrates with teammate Jarrad Branthwaite during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park in 2025 in Liverpool, England.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ stance on Jarrad Branthwaite might need to happen again with Man Utd’s interest in Elliot Anderson
Manchester United were unwilling to reach the hefty valuation that Everton had placed on former PSV Eindhoven and Carlisle United defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
The Red Devils walked from their transfer interest and United pursued other targets, with the Premier League club settling on – and pulling off – a move for Leny Yoro.
United were able to sign Leny Yoro for an initial fee of £52.18m in 2024 and the Red Devils agreed to pay Ligue 1 side Lille a further £6.73m in add-ons.
The Red Devils did not pay above and beyond for Branthwaite and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos made the right call to pursue Yoro at a more reasonable price tag.
Elliot Anderson has now been linked with United and Red Devils co-owner Ratcliffe and Ineos must be ready to make the same decision if the price does not align.
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What is the price tag of England and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson amid the Man Utd transfer links?
Elliot Anderson is under contract with Nottingham Forest until 2029 and the England midfielder has attracted interest from United, Arsenal and his former side Newcastle.
However, it is believed that Nottingham Forest are not prepared to let the 23-year-old England international leave during the 2026 January transfer window.
Forest have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on Elliot Anderson in their attempt to keep the Three Lions star at City Ground for the foreseeable future.
United are expected to sign a new midfielder in 2026 and Ineos and Ratcliffe would likely spend big on a major addition to Ruben Amorim’s squad next summer.
However, Ineos and Ratcliffe could test the water with lower bids for Anderson, but United must approach the transfer in the same way as the Branthwaite one.
If Forest play hardball with Anderson in the same way as Everton did with Branthwaite, then the Red Devils must do the ‘right’ thing by walking away.