Exclusive – Manchester United believe their bet not to give in to Borussia Dortmund’s asking price of € 120m (£ 107m) for Jadon Sancho could end up paying off in 2021 as the Old Trafford club are convinced that he can now get the English winger for significantly less.
United were confident they could sign Sancho as early as September 2019 and signs were increasingly pointing to a summer 2020 transfer for the former Manchester City youngster. They were even willing to break their transfer record and pay up to £ 120million at one point.
However, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in March and its knock-on effect on club income and the transfer budget was a key moment in the saga and United subsequently refused to exceed £ 100million in the opening of the summer transfer window.
Dortmund have not budged from their assessment and imposed a talks deadline in August that would give them time to sign and onboard a replacement ahead of the new season. But that date has passed and the icy confrontation showed no signs of thawing by the time the real deadline arrived in October.
As 90 mins already confirmed in November, United are still interested in Sancho and are said to be looking to try to secure a deal again. Now the Old Trafford hierarchy believe she is in a good position to secure a transfer to the line this year and will do so for less than £ 100million.
Sancho himself was keen to join United and become a key part of the project, although he declined to submit a formal transfer request to Dortmund. But the failure of that decision has affected him this season and he has yet to score in the Bundesliga, down from 17 goals last season.
90 mins has learned from sources that United are not concerned about his loss of form and still see the 20-year-old as an ideal signing. It remains to be seen whether Dortmund will actually lower the asking price, but United believe current circumstances will lower the figure.
Sancho’s representatives have made it clear that they are ready to consider all options after United’s proposed transfer failed in the summer. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have all shown interest, but neither have indicated they are ready to start a formal lawsuit, while there is no indication that Real Madrid or Barcelona will consider making an offer.
Overall, the player’s desire to join United has not changed. But the club don’t want a repeat of last year and are considering a quick deal, especially with the delayed European Championship taking a block of time this summer and making talks potentially difficult. With that in mind, United could try to strike a deal before the tournament starts in June.
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