According to the Mirror, details have emerged showing that Manchester United attempted to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho back in 2017.
At that time, Sancho was still at Manchester City and looking for a way out. Ultimately, the deal proved too complicated and it fell through.
Sancho opted for a quick and easy move that would guarantee him more playing time – and I’m sure he doesn’t for a second regret that decision.
The youngster joined German giants Borussia Dortmund and has enjoyed a two and a half year period which has seen him become one of Europe’s hottest properties.
In 2017, United had very nearly agreed a deal for Sancho and, when he joined Dortmund, City were so relieved they began to put some major clauses in the contracts of their youth talent.
The likes of Brahim Diaz, whom they sold to Real Madrid a year ago, has a sell-on clause that rises to 40% if he is sold to “another Manchester club”.
Now, if Manchester United want to sign Sancho this summer, the likelihood is that they’ll have to pay a nine figure fee.
Sancho has enjoyed a brilliant season in the Bundesliga that has seen him bag 17 goals and 19 assist in all competitions.
As per the TransferMarkt player value scale, Sancho is valued at £105.3m. That, to me, for a player of his quality at just 20-years-old, feels like the minimum he should be worth.
In the post-pandemic world, who knows what the valuations of football players will do. They seem destined to drop, but by how much remains to be seen.
Such financial issues mean that, for a while at least, there likely won’t be a whole lot of big money deals. Teams will need to be more creative with what they offer – I expect to see a lot more player plus cash part-exchange deals.
As for Sancho, Manchester United are the favourites to sign him at the moment. Betfair will offer you 8/11 for him to end up at Old Trafford this summer.
Currently, second favourites to land Sancho are Liverpool, who you can back at a steady 6/1.
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