Manchester United have made £70m player who Chelsea want their top target

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Manchester United are going to try really hard to beat Chelsea to one signing this summer.

Chelsea have registered their interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the next transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

However, a report from the Daily Star claims that Branthwaite is actually United’s top target for the summer.

Whoever signs the centre-back will have to pay big money for his signature. Journalist Ben Jacobs has shared on X that Everton will demand at least £70m for him.

Branthwaite has been a key player for the Toffees this season, making 31 appearances in all competitions under Sean Dyche. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has described the 21-year-old as a “pretty special” talent.

Manchester United make Jarrad Branthwaite top target after Chelsea register interest

It now looks like United and Chelsea could get in a battle over Branthwaite’s signature.

That being said, the latter’s interest does not seem to be as strong as the former’s yet, so the above is not a guarantee.

You can expect Chelsea to enter the transfer market for a new central defender at the end of the season, though.

Mauricio Pochettino may need to replace Thiago Silva when his contract expires in June, while Benoit Badiashile keeps picking up injuries. Wesley Fofana has not even played a game yet this season.

On paper, Chelsea have good central defenders, but they could be about to lose one of them, while most of the others have just not been reliable in the current campaign.

In terms of other centre-halves Chelsea could target, they are also being linked with Barcelona’s Jules Kounde. If the Blues do not sign Branthwaite, then, perhaps they will end up with the Frenchman.

Kounde obviously has way more experience than the Everton man and is quite versatile so should probably be higher on Chelsea’s shortlist going into the summer transfer window.