‘It’s going to happen’: Stelling confidently predicts that £80m star will end up joining United this summer

Manchester United fans are expecting a hectic summer transfer window this year, given that it’s the first one under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s guidance.

Numerous positions across the field need to be bolstered, especially in areas where senior players are set to leave upon their contracts ending; Anthony Martial, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will all be bidding farewell to Old Trafford in June, as it stands.

A forward must be sought in order to take the goalscoring burden partially away from Rasmus Hojlund, who’s already suffered his fair share of brief injury setbacks across his maiden United campaign.

What’s likely top of Erik ten Hag’s desired shortlist, though, is a centre-half. The aforementioned duo Evans and Varane are unlikely to have their stays extended unless the latter is offered fresh terms on significantly reduced wages.

Harry Maguire has worked his way up in the manager’s estimations, although there are still questions over whether he’s at the calibre the club need when looking to try and compete with Liverpool and Manchester City – the same can be said of Victor Lindelof. 

As such, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite has been mooted as a suitable, ready-made starter to slot into United’s 11 next term. His efforts across the campaign led to him being called up to England’s senior squad earlier this month for the first time in his career.

Stelling tips Branthwaite for United move

Rumoured to cost around £80 million, the 21-year-old’s high price tag hasn’t deterred the likes of United or City from registering their interest, and Stelling thinks the former will come out on top if there’s a bidding war this summer.

“Everton fans leave the room. It’s going to happen. Everton need the money and their biggest asset – their most sellable asset – is 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite. I think he will find himself at Old Trafford,” the pundit predicted on talkSPORT.

“Never mind Man City, it’ll be Old Trafford I imagine because with the likes of Evans and Varane and Lindelof and Maguire, all ageing players, they need to bring in some youth and I’m thinking £45 million, something like that, would do the job.”

Ally McCoist added: “I think he could play at any level, anywhere. He is heading completely in the right direction.”