Manchester United are prepared to pursue other targets if Everton are not willing to negotiate a fee for Jarrad Branthwaite, a source has told ESPN.
Branthwaite is a priority for United in the summer window, but Everton's valuation of more than £70 million ($89 million) is problematic.
Sources have told ESPN that Branthwaite is interested in a move to Old Trafford and contact with the 21-year-old's representatives has been positive.
United intend to make a formal offer, but a source told ESPN that Everton will have to give in on their demands for a fee for a deal to be reached.
Sources told ESPN that United have other central defensive targets, including Marc Guéhi, Jean-Clair Todibo, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, and are prepared to move on if Everton refuse to negotiate.
According to a source, Everton will need to offload players this summer as they battle to stay on the right side of profit and sustainability regulations.
Everton, according to a source, insist their assessment of Branthwaite is fair and based in part on Josko Gvardiol's move from RB Leipzig to Manchester City last year.
Gvardiol, who is of a similar age and is also a left-footed centre-back, moved to the Etihad Stadium for a fee of around £77m.
United are working with a tight transfer budget this summer and sources have told ESPN that the fee paid for a centre-back will have a direct impact on what other targets can be pursued during the window.
The club are also looking to bring in a striker and a central midfielder, considering both prime targets and lower-cost options.
United are hoping to flaunt their summer budget by securing the permanent departures of Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood.
Both are valued at around £40m and United are willing to explore permanent deals first before considering whether to sanction loan moves. Sancho and Greenwood were on loan last season at Borussia Dortmund and Getafe, respectively.
