Fear of familiar failure hits Murtough, as Man Utd grind to Sancho transfer halt

Jadon Sancho, Jeremiah St. Juste Mainz v Borussia Dortmund May 2021

Manchester United have reached a similar conundrum over a transfer for Jadon Sancho as they did last summer, according to a report.

The Borussia Dortmund forward has, reports claim, re-emerged as the Red Devils’ top transfer target. Newly-appointed football director John Murtough sat down with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shortly after the Europa League final defeat. Indeed, they devised plan to fund one ‘mega-signing’ this summer.

Solskjaer told his superior that the right side of his attack is his biggest priority; Edinson Cavani’s 12-month extension has kicked the can down the road over a new striker.

As such, with the focus back on Sancho, United reportedly wanted to make a bid on Tuesday. The transfer could also go through before the end of the week, one source added.

In any case, the Red Devils have already agreed personal terms with the England international, who forms part of Gareth Southgate’s final England Euro 2020 squad.

According to journalist Constantin Eckner, however, Murtough has hit the brakes on the transfer.

The reporter wrote on Twitter: “Sancho and United have an agreement in principle but United haven’t made a bid.

“Dortmund demand too much money and United haven’t decided how to approach this situation.”

Such a scenario mirrors what happened to the Red Devils’ chase for Sancho last summer.

June 1 Transfer Chatter - Manchester City's monstrous forward bid, Hazard's future unresolved and A.C Milan to sign defender from the European champions.

June 1 Transfer Chatter - Manchester City's monstrous forward bid, Hazard's future unresolved and A.C Milan to sign defender from the European champions.

Manchester City have lined up a monster bid for Spurs' Harry Kane, Eden Hazard wants to prove his Real Madrid worth and A.C Milan poised to sign defender from the champions of Europe, Chelsea.

Dortmund wanted £108million and despite United tabling a €100million-plus offer in October, the Bundesliga giants did not budge from their £108million valuation.

Dortmund have supposedly lowered that figure to below £80million this summer; Sancho has eaten into another year of his contract and, consequently, the prospect of him leaving is greater.

However, United will have to either stump up a suitable offer or move on; failure to do either last summer led to the last-minute signing of Cavani, who albeit impressed last season.

Sancho features in England squad

Jadon Sancho TEAMtalk

Sancho earned his place in the England squad after a stellar second half of the season for Dortmund.

After going without a Bundesliga goal for the opening 13 games, he hit eight strikes, including two in a crucial 3-2 win over RB Leizpig in May.


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Meanwhile, he also scored two goals and laid on another in the German Cup final against Leipzig, as Dortmund won 4-1.

However, one United man has faced criticism from Rio Ferdinand for his place in the squad.

READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand slams Southgate for including Man Utd star in England squad