Manchester United have reportedly been told that the club's number one transfer target is not for sale in the upcoming summer window.
The reports will come as a fresh blow to manager Erik ten Hag and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, following Monday's 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace.
United's squad is also currently dogged by injuries, with Ten Hag missing five of his six senior centre-backs for the trip to Selhurst Park.
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The side's performances this season have been inconsistent, meaning the Red Devils sit eighth heading into the final two matches of the Premier League campaign.
Failure to qualify for Europe entirely would constitute a devastating season at Old Trafford - and may cause the club to miss out on some of their key transfer targets.
However, one player is not for sale, regardless of where United finish in the league.
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That's according to the London Evening Standard, who claim that Everton will not 'welcome' any offers for defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer.
It is claimed, however, that although the player wants the move, the Toffees have no desire to sell their prized asset, with a sum of £80 million potentially convincing them to enter negotiations.
That news will sting United, who may have hoped to seal a relatively cut-price deal for the 22-year-old centre-back given Everton's current perilous financial position.
Branthwaite, who joined Everton from Carlisle in 2020, signed a new long-term deal to stay at Everton in November, and told the club's official website at the time: "The stature of the club, how much of a family it is at Everton and how I just love playing here in front of the fans were key reasons for me signing.
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"To sign this new contract was to show the commitment I have for the club and show how much it means to me to play for Everton.
CaughtOffside, meanwhile, claim that the Toffees would consider offers of around £45 million to sell Amadou Onana, who has largely impressed at Goodison Park since his £35 million move from Lille in the summer of 2022.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League, Transfers, Erik Ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe