Everton fire cryptic Jarrad Branthwaite message amid Man United Leny Yoro transfer confusion

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Everton have made their stance regarding Jarrad Branthwaite perfectly clear yet again for Manchester United with a well-timed social media post.

As the Red Devils close in on signing Leny Yoro, the summer saga is still yet to be finished. Having already had two bids for Branthwaite rejected, United are not out of the race to sign the Englishman despite an outlay of nearly £100million soon to be committed to deals already this summer.

After Joshua Zirkzee arrived as the first incoming of the window, more are expected to follow. United have not ruled out the possibility of purchasing three new centre-backs before the new season, especially with exits for Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire not ruled out, while Raphael Varane has already departed. READ MORE: Man United transfer news LIVE READ MORE: Ratcliffe has explained Man United's Leny Yoro transfer decision to Matthijs De Ligt Branthwaite looked set to be the priority target for Sir Jim Ratcliffe in his first summer window but a significant gap in valuations between Everton and United saw that one stall.

Attention quickly turned to Matthijs de Ligt and Yoro, both of whom could be United players before long. It has left Everton in a position to start initial pre-season preparations with Branthwaite in their squad, and don't the social media team know it.