Manchester United Explores Defensive Overhaul with Reported Interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Arsenal Academy Prospect

Manchester United is reportedly pursuing a £70m move for Jarrad Branthwaite while INEOS targets Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly for a summer defensive overhaul.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 3:49 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Strategic Rebuilding Under the INEOS Regime

As the 2025/26 season approaches its conclusion, Manchester United’s leadership is preparing for a transformative summer transfer window. Under the guidance of the INEOS sporting group, the club has reportedly identified seven senior players who will follow veteran midfielder Casemiro out of Old Trafford. This significant clear-out is designed to create both the wage flexibility and the squad space necessary for a comprehensive defensive and midfield overhaul. While much of the recent focus has been on the successful interim tenure of Michael Carrick, club insiders emphasize that the "positive uptick" in form must not distract from the urgent need for long-term upgrades in several key positions.

The Jarrad Branthwaite Valuation and Rumors

Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has emerged as a primary, albeit expensive, target for the Red Devils' backline. Recent reports from transfer insiders suggested that Manchester United had entered "advanced talks" with Everton for the 23-year-old center-back. However, these claims have been met with significant pushback from industry experts who label the idea of "advanced" negotiations as premature. Branthwaite, who extended his contract at Goodison Park until 2030 earlier this season, is valued at approximately £70 million. Given United’s stated priority of signing elite midfielders, the club may find itself in a position where they must either meet Everton’s steep asking price or pivot to more cost-effective alternatives.

The Myles Lewis-Skelly "Crossroads" at Arsenal

A more localized pursuit involves Arsenal’s versatile young talent, Myles Lewis-Skelly. Intermediaries have reportedly "offered" the academy graduate to Manchester United as he faces a bottleneck in his progression at the Emirates Stadium. With established defenders like Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie ahead of him in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, Lewis-Skelly is said to be at a "crossroads" in his career. INEOS officials are reportedly "convinced" the player is desperate for a move that would provide a clearer path to first-team football. For United, securing a high-potential English talent from a direct rival would represent a significant coup for their long-term developmental project.