The transfer saga, that would see the right winger return to his home country after a sensational spell in Germany, has dragged on over a year but according to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, United are now very confident of getting the deal done, even before the European Championships kick off in a week’s time.
‘Negotiations have begun in earnest over a price for the 21-year-old and United have been given encouragement that Club will accept a lower amount than last summer’s asking price,’ Whitwell claims.
‘Discussions stalled 12 months ago when Dortmund demanded €120 million (£110 million) for the England winger, without room for manoeuvre, but multiple sources report a willingness to find a solution this time around.
‘There is still work to be done on the fee, with the two clubs apart on valuation at this stage.
‘It is believed United are prepared to commit £80 million – a total that was initially communicated in Germany as being amenable to Dortmund.
‘But the Bundesliga side are said to be holding out for an additional £20 million in achievable add-ons. That is not an insignificant gap.’
The fact is, as Whitwell says, if the only thing to be ironed out is the bonuses and add-ons, usually there is an excellent chance that a deal will be concluded.
Man United are thought to have spent the entirety of last summer chasing Sancho, with their pursuit ultimately proving fruitless. They’ll now surely be keen to agree a fee ASAP.
As per Transfermarkt, Man United paid £94.5M for club-record signing Paul Pogba, a figure which stands to this day as the British transfer record, in terms of money paid out.