Borussia Dortmund have set Man Utd a transfer deadline if they wish to sign Jadon Sancho – but they will not be budging on price.
Reports suggested United were only willing to stretch to £50million for the winger in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
That falls some way short of Dortmund’s £100m valuation, and they are not prepared to accept anything less as they feel they could still command that figure next year.
Sancho’s contract runs until 2022, which means Dortmund would be in a weaker bargaining position at the end of next season.
Nevertheless, German publication Ruhr Nachrichten report that Dortmund have still demanded United make their approach to get the deal done by the end of the month, or forget about it for another year.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The transfer window is not set to open until August, but Dortmund are keen not to let negotiations drag on through the summer.
In any event they are quite content with retaining Sancho’s services for at least another season.
Key to their concerns are memories of Ousmane Dembele’s transfer to Barcelona in 2017.
While Dortmund were eventually able to command a huge fee for Dembele’s services, the timing of his sale at the end of August left little time for them to land a replacement.
United’s spending could still be determined on where the club finishes in the table as they chase down a Champions League spot.
There have been suggestions that the leak from senior United officials to Sky Sports regarding their £50m budget was a ploy to urge Sancho to demand a transfer, which has since not been forthcoming.
Sancho is thought to be keen on moving to Old Trafford, and has reportedly already agreed to a five-year deal worth £140,000 per week, rising to £200,000 by the end of the contract.
Former United striker Dwight Yorke feels his old club should go all out to sign Sancho, as he believes it would bring more out of players already at the club.
“He’s a terrific talent and he’s linked with every top team around the world,” Yorke told Goal.
“So, if Ole sees him as a player that can really bring something to the team and really make sure that core of players keep competition for places, then they should go for it.
“It would force other players to get their skates on and start performing. That’s a healthy thing and that’s what you want to see at United. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a player the club add going forward.”
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