Boost for INEOS as top target tells club he won’t sign a new contract unless they match United’s wage offer

Jarrad Branthwaite has sent a powerful message to the Everton board regarding his demands after an emphatic Premier League campaign.

The coveted centre-half has been the subject of two failed bids from Manchester United, with the Tofees standing firm in their £70 million valuation – despite suffering from an ongoing precarious financial situation that could be made worse by their recent takeover collapse.

Branthwaite, 22, has not actively pushed for the move nor handed in a transfer request, not that the public has been made aware of, at least. But he has outlined fresh demands to his club; according to Mail Sport, the England international has told Everton that he won’t be signing a new contract unless they match the £160,000-a-week wages United have offered him.

His current £35,000-a-week terms are set to expire in 2027, which does give the Merseyside outfit some breathing space to make a decision on his future and mull over his requests.

However, they’ll also be well aware that he is currently one of the most sought-after defenders on the market. Losing him for free, with the fee they could recuperate, isn’t an option for the Toffees, yet interested clubs will know that the closer it gets to Branthwaite’s contract expiring, the lesser his value.

On the other hand, should Everton comply with the player’s wishes, he would become the highest-paid player at Goodison Park. Abdoulaye Doucoure currently tops the charts, as per Spotrac, on £130,000 per week, followed by Jordan Pickford (£125,000), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£100,000) and James Tarkowski (£100,000).