United still interested in Branthwaite as Everton wait for further bids

Everton have already rejected an opening offer of around £35 million for the 21-year-old defensive standout and that appeared to be that, for now anyway.

United seemed to have gone cold in the idea of pursuing the transfer as they were unwilling to meet the Blues asking price of £70 million plus.

There were also rumours they were now looking at other central defensive targets such as Netherlands star Mathjis De Ligt.

However, this morning reports claim that the Old Trafford club have not in fact cooled their interest in Branthwaite and might be ready to come back again with another bid.

Meanwhile, the Toffees own previously precarious financial situation has improved with the sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa over the weekend apparently easing their PSR concerns considerably.

The prospect of facing another breach of the regulations and possibly points deductions again next season, was a major factor in the potential transfer of Branthwaite this summer.

He, along with Amdou Onana, represent the most valuable playing assets that Everton could realise and therefore ensure there was no possibility of a further breach.

If now the Dobbin sale has - at least to a considerable extent - eased that issue, then the Blues have less need to sell their best young players and certainly not for a reduced fee either.

There is also the potential for a deal very soon that could see Dominic Calvert-Lewin move to Tyneside joining Newcastle United, potentially bringing in another £15-20 million at least.

On top of all that it appears, at least for the moment, that things are progressing well with the proposed takeover by Dan Friedkin as his group have now entered into exclusivity with Farhad Moshiri and have already paid off some of Everton's outstanding debt.

So, while there might still be along way for this to go, the future of the club and it's ownership is looking far more promising than we have seen for a long time.

All this then strengthens the Toffees negotiating position very considerably and United, or anyone else, will have to pay the price the Blues are demanding for their players.