Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Everton could sign the ideal replacement for Jarrad Branthwaite from Manchester United.
It’s set to be a busy summer transfer window for Manchester United and Everton, although both clubs will want to ensure they stay on the right side of Profit and Sustainability Rules.
The Toffees are moving to the new stadium and they will be losing a list of players when their contracts expire at the end of the season. Former United manager David Moyes will be tasked with improving his Everton squad without spending too much.
Ruben Amorim finds himself in a similar situation at Old Trafford, with United sitting 13th in the Premier League but still in contention to win the Europa League.
Several areas of United’s first team need to improve ahead of next season, especially in defence and attack. The Reds have conceded far too many goals this season and seem incapable of scoring goals consistently.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Harry Maguire tipped as ideal Jarrad Branthwaite replacement
Despite several offers from United last summer, Everton stood their ground and kept hold of highly rated centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
A recent report from The Sun suggested that United are ready to go all out to sign the Everton and England defender again this summer, although a deal may hinge on Champions League qualification.
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With a strong likelihood of Everton losing Branthwaite, the Toffees need to identify a replacement.
They could use some of the money that they make on the 22-year-old to sign a replacement, and they have been urged to target United star Harry Maguire.
Maguire has impressed Amorim since the United boss joined in November, however, at 32, the club may listen to offers.
Former England international Paul Robinson believes Maguire would be an ideal fit for Moyes at Everton.
“I could see Harry Maguire being the type of player that David Moyes likes; and that type of centre-half, [a] no-nonsense centre-half that would fit into the mould of what he is trying to do at Everton,” Robinson told Football Insider.
“If they let Jarrad Branthwaite go, they may have an opportunity to strengthen their squad in other areas. If there’s a situation where they could maybe let him go bring in a player like Harry Maguire then that might be an option for them.”
Despite fears he’d fallen down the pecking order at United, Maguire has made 28 appearances this season, and his contract at Old Trafford is due to expire in June 2026.
The former Leicester City defender returned to training this week after an injury meant he had to spend a spell in the treatment room.
David Moyes’ failed attempt to sign Harry Maguire
In the summer of 2023, Moyes was in charge of West Ham, trying his utmost to take Maguire to London.
West Ham’s attempt to sign Maguire failed and he remained at Old Trafford.
Speaking about the failed move at the time, Moyes told the press: “I don’t really talk about players at other clubs but we did make an offer for Harry Maguire, and just at the end we’ve not been able to take it any further.
“That’s unfortunate. We’re looking at several players at other clubs.”
Now that Moyes has returned to Everton, he could rekindle his interest in Maguire and we already know he is an admirer of the no-nonsense defender.