Chelsea’s signing of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City has reportedly been bench-marked as the reason Everton are not budging from their valuation of Manchester United target, Jarrad Barnthwaite.
The Red Devils’ recruitment team has identified the Everton center-back as a top target. And negotiations between the two Premier League rivals are already underway. However, Everton rejected United’s initial offer of £35 million plus add-ons.
The Red Devils upped the bid to £45 million plus £5 million in addition. However, the Toffees have also reportedly rejected that offer and are hanging out for almost £70 million. And Chelsea, Man United’s Premier League opponents, may be at blame for that price.
According to The Times as reported by The Mirror, Everton have set that price to match the £70 million the Blues paid to sign Fofana. In 2022, Chelsea and Leicester reached a lucrative agreement, but the deal has not gone as planned.
Over the previous two seasons, the Frenchman has only made 20 appearances across all competitions due to ongoing injury problems. Since Fofana’s arrival, Chelsea have added Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Tosin Adarabioyo as defenders due to his lack of playing time in previous seasons.
It is up to United to decide whether to up their price for Branthwaite once more. Recently, Sean Dyche confirmed that Everton are unwilling to cash in.
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“We don’t want to sell any good players,” said the Blues boss earlier this year.
“It’s as simple as that and he’s [Branthwaite] proven to be a very good player. We’re not in the business of trying to sell players.”
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