Man Utd transfer blow with defender lined up to replace injured Martinez ‘set to agree new contract with rivals’

MANCHESTER UNITED transfer target Jarrad Branthwaite is set to sign a new long-term contract with Everton, according to reports.

The Red Devils are currently scouting a replacement for Lisandro Martinez, who is set to face up to three months on the sidelines with a foot injury.

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Jarrad Branthwaite is set to sign a new long-term contract with Man Utd[/caption]

Martinez first suffered the injury in April, but it became aggravated again last month and tests revealed that it had not healed properly.

He underwent another operation earlier this week and is now expected to remain out of action until the new year.

Man Utd had been looking at the possibility of signing Everton defender Branthwaite.

However, The Daily Mail now claim that he is ready to commit his long-term future to the Toffees.

The 21-year-old currently has two years left on his current deal with the option for a third, but Everton are set to offer him new terms.

Branthwaite joined Everton in a £1million transfer from Carlisle United in January 2020.

He was loaned out to PSV Eindhoven last season and scored four goals in 36 appearances.

The defender broke into Sean Dyche’s starting XI at the beginning of this season and has since played six times.

Everton currently sit 16th in the Premier League table with just four points from seven games.

Farhad Moshiri agreed to sell the club to US investment firm 777 Partners in a £500m deal last month.

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