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Manchester United were on the cusp of signing Jadon Sancho in late July, with a move to Old Trafford “one step away” before United tried to restructure the deal with Borussia Dortmund for the £ 108m winger. That’s according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it clear to his superiors that Sancho was their number one target for the summer, but despite five signings on the deadline, United did not sign a top winger.
Teenage talents Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo were signed, but a deal could not be negotiated for Sancho, while alternative additions such as Ousmane Dembele and Ismaila Sarr were rejected.
Solskjaer sees the 20-year-old Sancho as the ideal player to join Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attacking on the right side.
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But the England international with 13 caps will remain in Germany until at least January with no offer coming up to meet Dortmund’s £ 108m valuation in the summer.
Romano, however, says United were on the verge of signing Sancho, who agreed personal terms with the Red Devils even though the clubs failed to reach an agreement, until the Premier League team tried to change form. in which they would pay for the player.
“Jadon Sancho was really one step away from joining Manchester United in late July and early August. He was one step away,” Romano said on his Here We Go podcast, recalling the summer offers that did not materialize.
“It has also been confirmed by some agents who were in contact with United by other players, they met with the United board these days at the end of July and the beginning of August and they all said: ‘United has signed Sancho. It’s just a matter of details.
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“What happened? They changed the structure of Sancho’s payment, saying like, ‘We’re going to pay € 80 million with add-ons.’
“United was really convinced that before the deadline, and at the end of September, Borussia Dortmund would be ready to accept a different offer, not just 120 million euros, but 90 million euros, plus add-ons, payments in two or three years to prove. ” sign Sancho.
“They said, ‘Okay, it’s the coronavirus summer, we need money, all clubs need money, let’s try it at the end of the summer.’
“But Dortmund’s position remained the same: ‘We will sell the player for 120 million euros.’
“They said they had the deadline, but if United arrived with 120 million euros, also the deadline, Dortmund would sell Sancho.”
“It was just a question of money, of immediately paying 120 million euros.”
Romano added that Sancho is “disappointed” by the fact that United did not sign him, as the outspoken player was excited for a possible return to Manchester after spending two years in Manchester City’s academy setup between 2015 and 2017.
Athletic have alleged that United owner Joel Glazer and Woodward had a different view of Sancho, as the executive vice president lobbied for the club to improve its offer after an offer of £ 80 million plus add-ons was rejected. .
But Glazer and the United board were apparently unwilling to pay what they saw as an unrealistic fee at £ 108 million, apparently leaving the blame for the lack of a deal at the foot of the head table in Woodward’s place.
I would suggest that the idea of trying to restructure the deal for Sancho had come from above Woodward as they sought to keep costs down.
United are expected to return for Sancho in the future, but could face new competition from his signing from players like Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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They had a free run signing the light-footed attacker this year, but they may not find it that easy in 2021.
Liverpool, Barça and Real Madrid didn’t have the cash to rival United this year, but they hope to have greater financial freedom within 12 months.
But ESPN says Sancho was one of four priority goals United failed to achieve this summer, with Aston Villa creator Jack Grealish and RB Leipzig central defender Dayot Upamecano and Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake also. at the top of your wish list.
Ake joined City in a £ 41 million move, while Grealish, rated for £ 80 million, has stayed at Villa and Upamecano remains in Leipzig, where he has a buyout clause of around £ 36.5 million in his contract that activates next summer.
But Norwegian coach Solskjaer was eager to bring the Frenchman or Ake to United right away to pair him with captain Harry Maguire at the heart of his defense.
United have conceded 11 goals in just three Premier League games and have drawn criticism for their performance behind.
However, they signed Donny van de Beek, Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, Pellistri, Diallo, and teen defender Willy Kambwala, as well as extending Odion Ighalo’s loan until January 2021.
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