An offer from Newcastle for a top Wolves player, which included cash and an additional player, was rejected. A bid from West Ham was also rejected. Now reports are circulating that Manchester United will try their luck next.
Many Premier League sides are looking to strengthen their centre-back ranks this summer and two clubs have their sights set on Molineux.
Wolves defender Max Kilman is a sought-after man and the 27-year-old was recently the subject of a £25 million offer from West Ham.
Wolves immediately rejected the offer, with Gary O’Neil’s team apparently estimating Kilman’s value at just over £40 million.
According to a new update from The Telegraph, Newcastle are the last to try their luck, and their attempt involved a counterweight.
How much money Newcastle invested in the deal was not disclosed, but it was known which player they sold.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson was included in the offer, but like West Ham, Newcastle was quickly rejected by Wolves.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle will make another offer. The Telegraph Magpies boss Eddie Howe was not thrilled about Anderson being brought in as a compensation.
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Howe would be more than happy to keep the homegrown midfielder and unless Wolves scale back their £40m+ demand, Newcastle will simply pursue other targets.
One club that will certainly hope Newcastle will look elsewhere is Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
Branthwaite’s brick wall puts Kilman in focus
With the departure of Raphael Varane as a free agent and Victor Lindelof is close to a transfer to TurkeyMan Utd needs one, probably two new central defenders in this transfer window.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is their No. 1 target and personal terms with the 21-year-old left-footer have been agreed. If he moves to Old Trafford, Branthwaite will earn around £150,000-a-week.
However, Man Utd’s opening bid of £43 million (£35 million plus £8 million top-up) fell far short of Everton’s estimate of £70 million.
The Toffees are not willing to lower their demands and, if a player has to leave, would prefer to sell £50 million midfielder Amadou Onana. Arsenal have made an inquiry to sign the Belgian international.
The Branthwaite affair is further clouded by the fact that ManU have made it crystal clear to Everton that they will not pay anywhere near £70 million.
Rumours are circulating that Man United will give up their pursuit of Branthwaite and if that happens, the club are keen on the idea of making a bid for Kilman, according to TEAMtalk.
Wolves ace is a more than worthy compromise for Man Utd
At 27, Kilman is one of the older players that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to sign.
However, Kilman has a wealth of Premier League experience and has been a marginal player in the England squad over the past few seasons.
In addition, Kilman has an excellent injury record, having played in 75 of a possible 76 Premier League games over the last two seasons.
Valued at just over £40 million, Kilman would be a much cheaper alternative for Branthwaite.
Other players Man Utd are targeting include Lille’s Leny Yoro and England regular Marc Guehi.
The Red Devils had hoped to sign Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice before a UEFA decision put a stop to that move – much to Ratcliffe’s dismay.
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