Everton have cited the £75m that Chelsea paid for Wesley Fofana as the main reason they have placed an £80m valuation on Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite, according to TEAMtalk.

Erik ten Hag’s side are known to be one of the frontrunners to sign the 21-year-old this summer but his asking price could prove to be an obstacle in negotiations.

However, it is believed that the Toffees will stick to their demands, using the Fofana deal as a “benchmark” for talks over selling Branthwaite in the future.

The centre-back has recently been called up by England for their friendlies against Brazil and Belgium that take place this week.

With Branthwaite’s reputation in the game on the rise, it appears that United may have to pay through the nose to secure his signature.

United are in the market for a centre-half

With doubts over the future of Raphael Varane, who is refusing to sign a new contract on lower wages, there is a good chance that the Red Devils will need a replacement for the Frenchman.

The likes of Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo have been mentioned as alternatives but Branthwaite has been the player most heavily linked in the English press.

What do fans need to know about Branthwaite?

The defender came through Carlisle’s academy before Everton snapped him up during the 2020 January transfer window. Manager Carlo Ancelotti gave him his debut against Wolves later that year but it took him a while to make his first-team breakthrough.

Branthwaite went on loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven. At the latter, he was managed by former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy who called him a “great talent”.

On returning from the Netherlands last summer, though, the centre-back established himself as a regular starter in Everton’s backline.