Branthwaite pursuit a game of cat and mouse

EVERYTHING has a price and it's just what you're willing to pay for it.

- STEVEN RAILSTON

Everton value Jarrad Branthwaite between £70m and £80m and United aren't currently prepared, or able, to increase their bid into that lofty region.

The cash flow at Old Trafford is tighter than in previous summers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new regime are conscious of how they are perceived in their first window in charge.

Ratcliffe is aware United have wasted over £1billion on scattergun recruitment over the last decade and wants to change the club's reputation in the market. That will take time and many windows, and spending m on Branthwaite at the first opportunity would send the wrong message.

United's first offer of an initial £35m, with a further £8m in addons, for Branthwaite was never going to be accepted, although there is still hope an agreement can be reached.

The second bid, which was knocked back this week, offered Everton £45m plus £5m in add-ons for Branthwaite and that was more acceptable, but there's still a difference in opinion.