Football journalist Daniel Harris says his information suggests a Jadon Sancho move to Old Trafford before the October 5th transfer deadline may still happen.
The 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund star is thought to be keen on playing for Manchester United, but so far the two clubs have yet to agree on the fee.
According to Sky Sports yesterday, United's first formal bid of €100 million was rejected by the Bundesliga outfit. Harris told OTB AM this morning that there is still a "good chance" an agreement can be reached.
"I was told yesterday that it is thought it will still go ahead... The fact that United haven't bought another right-winger yet suggests that they think this deal is still possible.
"Dortmund have obviously said 'You need to give us 'X'' and United are offering them 'Y' still. I think there is probably a good chance the deal gets made.
"€120 million for any player in this market, in this economy, is absolutely batshit. In theory you could understand [United] not doing that deal, but then [you could] spend the money on other players that are needed.
"In a way right-wing is not what United need more than anything. United need a controlling midfield player and they need a centre-back.
"But you're also saying that Jadon Sancho is too good a player not to buy, and if you don't do it this summer then a better team at the moment might come in and do the deal next summer."
And although the long-running transfer saga could cost United significant money if they want it to happen, Harris says the club top brass may see the value in it.
"I also imagine Ed Woodward is thinking Jadon Sancho will be extremely marketable. There will be companies coming to United asking them to advertise and asking for Jadon Sancho.
"So it probably works for United getting Jadon Sancho if they can, and it certainly works on the pitch.
"The thing with Dortmund is United are trying to buy something that Dortmund don't particularly want to sell. They might be thinking they have to sell the player because the player has basically set his mind on leaving.
🤭🤹♂️ @Sanchooo10 pic.twitter.com/2cr6Z4PIAN
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) August 26, 2020
"If the worst-case scenario for Dortmund is another season for Jadon Sancho before selling him for €120 million, then that is not a terrible worst-case scenario.
"Dortmund probably have more cards than United do."
Harris says United may well regret not striking for Sancho while the iron is hot if the move doesn't happen before Monday's deadline.
"The opportunity to have a free run at a player as good as Sancho might not happen again, and you'd be foolish to assume it will happen again in a year.
"United have been talking to Sancho [since] before last season had finished and were very clear Sancho would not come if United didn't finish in the top four and get Champions League.
"I'm kind of guessing because everything you say is subject to the Glazers and United behaving in a particular way.
"I guess I'd go with about a seven [out of 10 that he signs for United in this transfer window] because of the circumstantial evidence that they're not doing very much with the other money, they're starting to get rid of a few players now and they're probably in a position to pay the wages.
"I'd probably say seven, but I'm like anyone else, I'm guessing because I'm not the Glazers and I'm not Woodward and I'm not privy to their conversations."
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