Real Madrid join Man Utd in pursuit of key centre-back target | OneFootball

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has reportedly emerged on Real Madrid's transfer radar ahead of the summer window, with the European champions expected to sign a centre-back.

Having not recruited a central defender since 2022, coupled with the departure of former club captain Nacho and major injuries to David Alaba (recovered) and Eder Militao (back next season), Madrid have endured a challenging campaign at the back.

Emerging defensive talent Castello Lukeba, rated at €90m thanks to a release clause in his RB Leipzig contract has been touted as an option. In the short-term, Madrid are also reported to be keeping tabs on veteran Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who is out of contract in June.

But another possibility for Madrid is Branthwaite. AS writes that the capital club will recruit a centre-back regardless of Raul Asencio's admirable rise to the first-team, with 22-year-old Branthwaite described as a "favourite" of Carlo Ancelotti in particular.

However, Everton's current €75m (£62m) asking price is considered too much. Toffees manager David Moyes recently warned suitors would need to bring "a big bag of money" to sign Branthwaite, who remains on the radar of Manchester United after two failed bids during the summer.

Branthwaite has already played under Carlo Ancelotti / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

It's easy to forget that Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League-winning coach, had a spell in charge of Everton not all that long ago, but he did, and the Italian already knows Branthwaite pretty well.

Ancelotti was Everton boss when Branthwaite was plucked from lower league obscurity as a teenage prospect in January 2020. The youngster made his Toffees debut that year, although it was only after a formative season on loan at PSV Eindhoven that Branthwaite became an Everton regular, by which time Ancelotti had long since returned to the Bernabeu for a second spell in charge.

Even in an Everton team that has largely struggled, Branthwaite is considered a bright hope for the future of the England squad. He made the provisional selection for Euro 2024 last summer and was heavily courted by United before a deal was struck to sign Matthijs de Ligt instead.

Five Englishmen have played for Real Madrid in the 21st century with varying levels of success, from Jude Bellingham, David Beckham and Steve McManaman, to Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate.