These latest rumours seem to underline the increasing likelihood that Branthwaite will leave Everton this summer as the Blues financial and ownership problems continue.
If the 21-year-old England international does leave Merseyside in this summer transfer window, the Toffees will have a major task finding an adequate replacement for a player who has enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough first full season.
Branthwaite has formed a very strong central defensive partnership with James Tarkowski, a partnership that is as good as almost any other - bar possibly Arsenal's duo William Saliba and Gabriel - in the Premier League.
Once again stories claim that Manchester United are determined to try and prise Branthwaite away from Everton in the coming weeks.
Previously, we have mentioned similar reports and looked at possible players who might be on the club's radar should the former Carlise youngster leave Everton.
In this article another centre-back is mentioned as a possible target for the Toffees; former Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez.
Sanchez has been playing in Turkey with Galatasaray after leaving Tottenham where he had endured a difficult and inconsistent time.
He has some strengths and is quite similar in many respects to a former Columbian defender in Yerry Mina who proved to be a very effective player in a royal blue shirt.
Such a move might not exactly inspire Evertonians and Turkish football is hardly the best quality league in Europe, but he has some Premier League experience at least.
As former Blue Michael Ball explains, it would make a lot of sense for Branthwaite as well as for Everton, if the defender was to stay at Goodison at least for one more season.
I agree and for the player moving prematurely to a so-called 'big club' like United could actually hurt his development - remember Jack Rodwell anyone?
While selling Branthwaite for an amount considerably below his potential market value would be a really bad deal for the club, obviously.
Although I would be loathe to see Branthwaite go I am beginning to feel more and more pessimistic that the Blues can keep him this summer.