Unless Everton are prepared to drop their substantial asking price for Jarrad Branthwaite, which is believed to be in the region of £80m, then it is very difficult to imagine the defender joining Manchester United this summer.
As a result, the Red Devils could be forced to switch their focus elsewhere, with the club in the market for a replacement for Raphael Varane.
Jonny Evans has still not signed a new deal, while Victor Lindelof is being linked with an exit, so it is possible that two new centre-backs could move to Old Trafford this summer.
Here, Sports Mole looks at three Branthwaite alternatives for Man United, with the club certain to have a number of names on their centre-back shortlist for the current market.
Ronald Araujo (Barcelona)
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Man United might not believe that Branthwaite is worth £80m, but they could feel differently about Araujo, who is currently being strongly linked with a switch away from Barcelona.
The Catalan outfit are determined to sign him to a new contract, but it is understood that the Uruguay international is stalling, with Man United said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
A recent report claimed that the 20-time English champions would be willing to double Araujo's current pay packet at Barcelona in order to bring him to Old Trafford.
One of the outstanding centre-backs in world football, the 25-year-old enjoyed a strong 2023-24 campaign for Barcelona, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
Man United will not be the only contenders if it becomes clear that Barcelona are open to a sale, but it would be some statement of intent if the Red Devils were able to secure his signature.
Jean-Clair Todibo (Nice)
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A deal for Todibo looked to be completely off the table when Man United's new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirmed that the Red Devils had been blocked from the signing the French defender.
Nice are owned by Ratcliffe's INEOS company, and the British billionaire said that UEFA had informed the French outfit that they would be unable to sell Todibo to Man United this summer.
However, according to a recent report, the Red Devils have hired a Swiss lawyer "to plead before the Court of Arbitration for Sport", so a deal is seemingly now possible.
Todibo made 33 appearances for Nice during the 2023-24 campaign, while he has represented the club on 136 occasions in all competitions.
A move to Barcelona in the early stages of his career did not work out, but the 24-year-old now appears ready to make the switch to a major club, and it is not a surprise that the 20-time English champions are seemingly so keen on a deal considering his recent development.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
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Harry Maguire's injury problems opened the door for Guehi to be a starter for England at Euro 2024, and the Crystal Palace defender has been one of his country's best performers this summer.
Guehi entered the tournament off the back of a strong 2023-24 campaign for Crystal Palace, making 32 appearances in all competitions, and it would have been more but for a knee injury.
The 23-year-old returned for Palace's final three matches of the Premier League season, and he was excellent in his side's 4-0 success over Man United at the start of May.
The Eagles have Guehi on a contract until June 2026, so there is no immediate panic surrounding his future, but it would not be a surprise to see him move to a major club in the near future.
Palace have allegedly set a £65m asking price for Guehi, though, so a move for the Englishman would be highly unlikely unless his capital outfit are prepared to come to the negotiating table.
