Manchester United will not be alone in the race to sign 24-year-old English international Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton next year despite moving ahead by establishing contact for a deal.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested in Jarrad Branthwaite, with the two European heavyweights tracking the Englishman’s progress at Everton. The Merseyside outfit will demand £80 million to part ways with the former Carlisle United prospect next year.

Jarrad Branthwaite and his career so far

Jarrad Branthwaite has enjoyed his breakthrough in the Premier League since returning from a successful loan stint with PSV Eindhoven. The 24-year-old has been a mainstay at the back for Everton whenever he has been fit and available, though a hamstring injury blighted him last term, and he managed only 681 minutes of game time in ten Premier League outings.

However, the English defender has been fit in the early days of the 2026/27 season, starting all four Premier League games thus far and accumulating 360 minutes of game time. With the youngster proving impressive in the first month of the new campaign, interest in him has soared again, as it did at different junctures over the past few years.

A man in demand

Real Madrid may pursue a centre-back in the upcoming transfer windows next year, as Antonio Rudiger is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career. Additionally, there are concerns about Eder Militao’s durability after his struggles with long-term injuries in the last few seasons.

Meanwhile, Jarrad Branthwaite has been on Manchester United’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest is understandable, though Manchester United should ideally prefer signing a right-footed centre-back first. While the Red Devils need a new central defender, Harry Maguire’s advancing age has created the need for a right-sided option.

Additionally, Matthijs de Ligt’s long-term back injury has raised concerns about his long-term viability as a first-choice starter for the Premier League outfit. That leaves Leny Yoro as the only other right-footed centre-back in Michael Carrick’s squad. On the other side, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven are reliable left-sided options. Nevertheless, the left-footed Branthwaite is an option worth considering due to Martinez’s fitness issues.