Manchester United have made a second bid for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite thought to be in the region of £45m plus £5m in add-ons.
The bid is expected to be rejected by Everton.
United will then have to decide if they will go back in with an improved offer.
Sky Sports News reported last month that Everton had turned down a first bid from United, which fell considerably short of their valuation of the defender, with one source suggesting the offer was worth £35m plus add-ons.
Everton regard Branthwaite as a key player.
Branthwaite played 35 times for Everton in the Premier League last season, although he was cut from England’s Euro 2024 preliminary squad.
Branthwaite and Lille’s Leny Yoro are live options while United continue to negotiate with Bayern Munich over Matthias de Ligt.
Talks with Bayern have been described as positive. There is a willingness from all parties to get a deal done.
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Speaking on the Transfer Talk podcast, Dharmesh Sheth discusses whether Manchester United are taking a risk in signing Matthijs de Ligt
Bayern want £42.5m plus add-ons.
Signing two central defenders in this window has not been ruled out.
United want to replace Raphael Varane after he left the club following the expiration of his contract.
Further additions will depend on whether there are more departures in that position.
Victor Lindelof’s future could be key. He has entered the final year of his contract and there are currently no talks planned over a new deal.
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Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth gives greater insight into Manchester United’s centre-back search
Fenerbahce are one of a number of clubs interested in the Swedish international.
Talks continue with Jonny Evans and his representatives over a new one-year deal.
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.