Jadon Sancho could leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with Manchester United keen on a potential transfer.
Jadon Sancho would prefer to leave Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid or Barcelona instead of Manchester United, according to reports. The England international is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top transfer target. But, while that’s the case, there’s no guarantee he’ll be moving to Old Trafford this summer.
Sancho is back on United’s radar.
Despite missing out three times in the past, the Red Devils are confident they’ll finally get lucky at the fourth time of trying.
United have dropped interest in the majority of Sancho alternatives, though they do appear to still admire Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele.
Sancho was wanted by Jose Mourinho in 2017 and, since then, Solskjaer has tried and failed to bring the forward to Old Trafford in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
However, it’s claimed the 21-year-old would actually prefer a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona instead - which is why the deal is taking so long to complete.
Solskjaer, for his part, is said to be aware of this.
But he wants United to press on with Sancho’s signing regardless, believing the England international has the potential to be a huge Old Trafford hit.
Solskjaer wants a proven right winger with the club struggling in that department ever since Cristiano Ronaldo’s blockbuster move to Real Madrid back in the summer transfer window of 2009.
Antonio Valencia did well enough but, by the end of his time with the Red Devils, had become a right-back.
Angel Di Maria arrived with big expectations in 2014 but, despite sparkling during his time at Real Madrid, struggled for consistency during his sole season at the club.
After Louis van Gaal sold Di Maria to PSG, Memphis Depay then touched down.
But the Netherlands international was never given much of a chance before Jose Mourinho flogged him to Lyon in January 2018.
Last summer, after missing out on Sancho, deals for Amad and Facundo Pellistri were struck.
But neither player is able to play week in, week out in the Premier League at the current moment in time - which is why the club are so sold on Sancho.
Solskjaer feels the Dortmund star will love playing for United in front of a full Stretford End.
And with Real Madrid and Barcelona both financially weakened by the coronavirus crisis, they’re unlikely to join the race for Sancho this summer.
Real Madrid are saving their cash for Kylian Mbappe instead, with the France international’s long-term future at PSG currently uncertain.
And Barcelona are utilising the free agent market having already snapped up the likes of Eric Garcia and Sergio Aguero from Manchester City.
Speaking earlier this month, meanwhile, United owner Joel Glazer vowed to back Solskjaer on the transfer front and turn the club into a major force again.
"Our goal is to win every competition we compete in, and we will continue to invest in our Academy and in the transfer market to support the manager in an effort to meet the club’s goals," he said.
"As a club we have devoted a lot of time and resources over the last several years updating and further developing our vast global scouting network to adapt to the modern football environment."
"This is a project that should provide a foundation for long-term success in the years to come."
"In addition, as you all know, we have also been focused on growing and developing our women’s team in line with the traditions and values of the club, and we are committed to continuing that process."
The 50-year-old then added: "We want this club to always be successful and win trophies. To compete for trophies requires significant investment."
"The commercial growth at the club has helped deliver the revenue which ultimately underpins that investment in a sustainable manner."
"That approach has allowed us to have among the highest net transfer spend in world football over the last five years and have one of the highest wage bills."
"Also, as a direct result of our commercial business, we have kept ticket prices affordable for all fans and not raised season ticket prices in over ten years. This is an area that we as a club are very proud of."