Journalist Andy Mitten says United and Borussia Dortmund are 'miles apart' on their valuation of Jadon Sancho.
Mitten joined The Football Show and poured cold water on Sancho joining in the immediate future, proffering the idea that United would be willing to look at other players.
"There are talks between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund - they have liked him for a long time.
"I've been reading stories that personal terms have been agreed, and they haven't; that a valuation has been agreed, and it hasn't. I am told that talks are at an early stage.
"People have been saying that this is going to happen today and I am just told that it is not.
"United are prepared, if they cannot get an agreement, to look at other targets. I wrote a story a few weeks ago linking United with Kingsley Coman of Bayern Munich, and that was very well-sourced."
Jadon Sancho
While the clubs may be apart, Mitten believes that Sancho does want to join United.
"I am told that he wants to join United, and I am also told that there isn't a queue of suitors for Dortmund, which isn't ideal for them.
"If you're Borussia Dortmund, do you sell now or wait for a year?"
Mitten believes that the financial implications of the coronavirus lockdown mean that Dortmund are in a tricky position, and United are not going to overpay.
This frugality has been affected by being 'twice shy' over huge-money deals, like the failed Alexis Sanchez experiment.
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"United have paid all their staff - I think they have acted very well during the lockdown. But when they get told fees of £120m by Dortmund, that is miles apart from what Manchester United are prepared to pay for a very talented young player.
"I am told that there is no deal yet; no deal on his personal terms or a fee. United are right to be cirumspect because they have overpaid over the years, with the second-highest wage bill in world football, after Barcelona. They don't even look like being the second-best team in the Premier League.
"One of the players that United are trying to get off the wage bill is Alexis Sanchez. He was welcomed in January 2018, but he was a complete flop. They have been bitten and they are twice shy."
August deadline
Mitten doubts that Dortmund will receive a similar fee to the astronomical they got for Ousmane Dembele, and reiterated that any ideas of an August 10th 'deadline' are moot.
"United do want Sancho and Sancho wants to come. But I keep reading about this August 10 deadline - this is arbitrary. The transfer window runs into October.
"It drives me mad talking about transfers as a journalist because when you say that there are talks between clubs and they break down, they feel like they have been emotionally let down.
"Transfers break down all the time. I am not saying that this is going to break down; I think the will is there from United and Dortmund are indicating they want to sell.
"They are just miles apart at the moment."
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