Man Utd: Pundits discuss possible Jadon Sancho transfer
Manchester United chief Ed Woodward is gambling in his approach to Jadon Sancho transfer negotiations. The Red Devils supremo would rather delay a deal for the England international if it means getting him for a cheaper fee. But there’s no guarantee that will happen and Woodward is running the risk of missing out on a deal for the Borussia Dortmund star altogether.
As thing stand, Manchester United remain locked in negotiations with Dortmund for Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear he wants the England international signed as soon as possible so he can be integrated into the squad ahead of next season.
But United chief Woodward has a different approach.
He’s in no hurry to strike a deal and is instead hoping that a delay will eventually suit the club, as it has done in the past.
In January, the club signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for £47million. The fee could rise to £68m if certain clauses in his contract are triggered.
Sporting had initially demanded £68m outright but, in the end, Woodward’s approach paid off. United got their man and Fernandes played a key role in their fine second half of the campaign.
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But there’s no guarantee the same will happen with Sancho.
United don’t want to pay a record fee for the Dortmund star at a time where the coronavirus crisis is still ongoing, mindful of the message that would send out.
So Woodward is negotiating, working hard behind the scenes to find a compromise that would suit both the Red Devils and Dortmund at once.
Yet Dortmund, unlike Sporting in January, are under no obligation to sell.
In January, Sporting needed the cash to balance the books. That was why they wanted all the Fernandes money in one go.
Knowing this, Woodward took his time. And, with just days of the transfer window left, he was able to bring the playmaker to Old Trafford.
The German giants have plenty of money in the bank and believe only minor tinkering is needed if they’re to beat Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title next season.
They don’t want to lose Sancho. In an ideal world he’d stay put and lead their title charge next season, with the club rating their prized asset highly.
And that’s why Woodward’s approach is a giant risk.
If United don’t stump up the cash by August 10, Dortmund have insisted they won’t let Sancho go.
Woodward and the Red Devils have been calm about that deadline but they’d be wrong to ignore it, especially given how the forward wants to come.
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