Man Utd hold secret weapon to complete third INEOS transfer as 'agreement close'

Manchester United can use Paris Saint-Germain's reported interest in Jadon Sancho to secure their third signing of the summer transfer window. PSG are claimed to be eyeing a deal for Sancho, whose United future remains uncertain despite his somewhat surprising return to first-team training in pre-season.

The 24-year-old winger turned heads when it was announced that he had finally settled his differences with manager Erik ten Hag after their public spat last season.

Ten Hag exiled Sancho after he took to social media to suggest the Dutchman lied when explaining his exclusion from the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal in September was due to "poor training performance."

His refusal to apologise led to his first-team banishment at Carrington, which lasted for four months before Borussia Dortmund offered him an escape route in the form of a short loan.

Sancho impressed on his return to Germany - helping the Black and Yellow reach the Champions League final - and he was widely expected to leave United permanently this summer.

But he reported to Carrington for first-team training last week and featured in the first half of Saturday's 2-0 win against Rangers in Edinburgh.

Sancho is expected to play a full part in United's pre-season, including the upcoming tour of the United States, after Ten Hag confirmed the pair had drawn a line under their row.

However, the Red Devils need funds to complete further transfer business beyond Joshua Zirkzee's £36.5million arrival from Bologna and Leny Yoro's £52m switch from Lille.

And despite making peace with Ten Hag, Sancho has reportedly held positive talks about a potential move to PSG.

Foot Mercato claim the Ligue 1 champions have almost reached an agreement on personal terms with Sancho.

They will then have to strike a deal with United, who reportedly value the England international at around £40m, almost half of the £73m fee they paid Dortmund in 2021.

If there is little chance of that asking price being met, INEOS could get creative in their pursuit of a top midfield target, Manuel Ugarte.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the 23-year-old has agreed personal terms with United and has informed PSG of his desire to join.

But the Parisiens are claimed to have no plans of selling Ugarte - who they signed from Sporting Lisbon for £51m last summer - for less than £59m.

United could use Sancho to orchestrate a deal that suits all four parties, perhaps by offering their No. 25 with a little extra cash.

Otherwise, the M16 giants are expected to have to sanction a midfield sale before reinforcing Ten Hag's engine room any further.