Chelsea ready to usurp Man Utd in transfer chase for Everton star

Chelsea are weighing up a move to sign Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite this summer as Enzo Maresca looks to strengthen his squad ahead of a return to the .

The 22-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and was the subject of interest from last summer. The Red Devils saw two bids rejected, with their .

And Toffees boss remains reluctant, , with defender James Tarkowski still recovering from surgery on his hamstring. A move would potentially leave short of cover in Moyes' backline, though Michael Keane and James O'Brien partnered in the centre of defence against on the final day of the season.

It has already been suggested United could be tempted to spend more than £50m on Branthwaite to secure his signature this summer but competition from will only add to the difficulty of their question. A January move for the Carlisle-born star is said to have been discussed before the Red Devils opted to operate more frugally with the .

If United go head to head against the Blues in the coming weeks, they may come out on the wrong side of the equation however. Last summer, Branthwaite was unwilling to push for a move that did not include Champions League football.

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Ruben Amorim's side after falling to in the final and finishing 15th in the following a dismal season. Chelsea's success on the final day of the season against ensured they have Europe's top competition to flaunt to potential signings in the coming weeks, handing the a key advantage over United.

Enzo Maresca and Chelsea have already dealt United a transfer blow this summer after winning the race to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich. The forward is ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues activated his £30m release clause.

Again, Champions League football is said to have been pivotal in Delap's final decision, with a framework over personal terms already in place with United. But the 22-year-old ultimately opted for Stamford Bridge.

Amorim, however, is optimistic that his team can find some benefit in not being in the Champions League next term. A lighter schedule will give the Portuguese coach more time to prepare his team.

"I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform better, to prepare better for games, to build that core that we need for the future," he said. "So I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage not to have European games."

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