Those involved in talks are 'cautiously optimistic' that Sancho will be on his way to Old Trafford
The Jadon Sancho transfer saga rumbles on but will it drag on all summer long or will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sign his man before the end of Euro 2020? According to Sky Sports, there is 'cautious optimism' in the air among the three parties. The sticking point in talks right now appears to be about the exact asking price and the method of payment. It is believed that the German club will demand much less than the £108m they wanted last summer as the economic impact of the pandemic begins to take its toll across Europe. The England winger is entering the final two years of his deal which gives Borussia Dortmund even less leverage to demand as astronomical a fee as they did last time.
What went wrong last summer?
Personal terms are unlikely to present a serious obstacle to this transfer as they were already agreed between club and player last year when Manchester United tried and failed to sign the 21 year old England international. Despite that, talks with Dortmund broke down because Manchester United could not match the strict 120 million euro price tag that Borussia Dortmund put on Jadon Sancho. Chiefs at United reportedly felt the figure was unrealistic given the coronavirus situation at the time and those reservations will be the same this summer. The only difference is that one year on Borussia Dortmund are likely to reduce the price drastically, thus facilitating a transfer. Several other clubs are reportedly in for the winger but it is thought that United are firmly in the driver's seat.
Do Manchester United really need Jadon Sancho?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bolster United's attacking options this summer and it's clear to see why. The signing of Edinson Cavani for another season means their main striker berth will be occupied by an undisputed winner. The man to play just behind him, Bruno Fernandes, has been revelatory since his move to Old Trafford. They tend to play a 4-2-3-1 with two wide players, one either side of Fernandes, in support of Cavani. With Anthony Martial out for long periods with injury, they have tended to go with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. From that wide area Greenwood contributed 7 goals and 2 assists in 31 appearances in the Premier League this season. Marcus Rashford scored 11 and assisted 9 from 37 Premier League games. Both are capable, young and improving players with huge market values. Yet, there is always room for improvement.
Even with all three fit (Martial, Greenwood and Rashford), it would be considered a major upgrade to have Jadon Sancho at your disposal to take up one of those wide positions. It's undoubtedly his first choice role and one in which he has thrived in Germany. He's been consistent in each of the last three seasons, in 2019-20 producing a particularly noteworthy 17 goals and 16 assists from only 32 games in the Bundesliga. His acquisition would add enviable depth to that front four and almost certainly be an immediate upgrade on Mason Greenwood, who could then perhaps be used more as a true striker, improving his already great movement in an apprenticeship under the great Edinson Cavani.
What else do United need?
Rumours are flying that Manchester United are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid and England full back Kieran Trippier. While he would be a great addition to any squad, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw are both thriving right now so that doesn't look like a big area of weakness in United's first team. Getting a top quality centre back seems to be much more of a priority for fans. Harry Maguire is solid and Victor Lindelof has plenty of upside but the depth stops there. If Eric Bailly or Phil Jones get on the pitch, United fans cannot help but put their hands over their faces and watch on in horror. They've been linked with, among others, Raphael Varane (who seems to be on his way out of Real Madrid) and Pau Torres (who played a vital part in Unai Emery's defensive masterclass in Villarreal's Europa League final win over The Red Devils in May). Both would bolster those defensive options greatly. Varane is a proven winner and signing him would be a real statement of intent. Real Madrid are said to have placed a £60m asking price on the Frenchman. If United can get a top quality centre back in, along with Sancho, they should have a real chance to push Manchester City next season.
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