Man Utd step up talks to sign English defender

Manchester United have stepped up talks to sign Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite at the end of the season, according to Football Insider.

The 21-year-old has been one of the best young centre-backs in the Premier League this term and he is expected to pursue a bigger challenge soon.

United are one of his long-term admirers and Football Insider claim that the club have started the groundwork to land his signature this summer.

The Toffees are currently on course to avoid relegation from the top-flight despite losing eight points for breaching the Financial Fair Play limits.

This puts them in a strong position to negotiate, but a fee of around £80 million could be sufficient for them to sanction Branthwaite's exit.

United recently appointed Jason Wilcox as a technical director. The transfer guru has a fond relationship with the representative of Branthwaite.

This could put United in the front seat to secure his services ahead of the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in the next transfer window.