Man United not giving up on transfer despite Borussia Dortmund stance – Sancho

• Posted on August 11, 2020August 11, 2020
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Manchester United are not giving up on signing Jadon Sancho this summer, despite Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc appearing to rule out a potential transfer.

The England international – who is valued by his club at £108m – has travelled with the Dortmund squad for their pre-season training camp in Switzerland.

As it stands, the transfer fee, agent fees and personal terms with the player all still have to be agreed.

Dortmund and agents are not making talks easy, and any deal would be easier if United could negotiate directly with the German club.

Dortmund previously indicated they wanted a deal completed by the time they headed out for their training camp to give them sufficient time to purchase a replacement, and sporting director Zorc says Sancho will now be staying with the club.

“We plan on having Jadon Sancho in our team this season, the decision is final. I think that answers all our questions,” Zorc told reporters on Monday.

He added: “Last summer, we adjusted Jadon’s salary to match the development of his performances. So in context, we had already extended his contract until 2023 back then.”

Sancho was pictured at a party in the UK over the weekend but Dortmund have no issue with that and said: “It’s common and fine for players to go home before a training camp if they’re not risky. The same goes for Jadon (Sancho). From our point of view, the pictures that have been shown to us so far do not violate.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, when asked about Zorc’s comments following victory over Copenhagen in the Europa League, said simply: “I can’t comment on other teams’ players.”

But United are looking at alternatives, notably Kingsley Coman on loan from Bayern Munich.

Sancho worth up to £162m?

The Football Observatory values Sancho at £162m, using a methodology that factors his contract status, age, international level and many more metrics. Meanwhile, transfermarkt.co.uk proposes a £105m price tag, using their own valuation algorithm.

United’s chances of convincing Sancho to come to Old Trafford will have been enhanced by them qualifying for the Champions League, but they also see the German club’s €120m (£108m) valuation for the player under the current coronavirus conditions as “unrealistic” for a player who Dortmund themselves signed for £7.2m three years ago.

The club are also unwilling to break their wage structure for the 20-year-old following the unsuccessful transfer of Alexis Sanchez.

United have completed big-money moves for Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes in the last two transfer windows but feel the environment for deals has shifted since the coronavirus pandemic – with fees reflecting the tough financial conditions.

-Skysports