Manchester United will have to pay a record transfer fee for a British player if they want to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, a report claims. Young England winger Sancho has been turning heads thanks to his impressive performances in the Bundesliga this season, where he has made 22 league appearances, contributing seven goals and nine assists as Dortmund challenge for the title.
Manchester United have been linked with the attacker, who was previously in the academy of their great rivals Manchester City, but according to the Daily Mirror, they will only be able to sign him on two conditions. First, finishing in the top four is vital to United’s pursuit of the 18-year-old, who is virtually guaranteed Champions League football at Dortmund next season. His current side are top of the German top flight, and have a 15-point cushion over fifth place, with the top four all qualifying directly for the group stages of Europe’s top club competition.
In contrast, United are locked in a three-way battle with Chelsea and Arsenal to secure fourth spot in the Premier League. In addition, a fee of over £100m will be needed to prise the teenager away from Dortmund, who are determined to keep hold of their prize asset. That would be a record for a British player, surpassing the £86m that Real Madrid paid Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013. However, United are convinced he is worth the big money, thanks to the potential he has shown across his performances this season.
The Red Devils are in the market for a new winger, given the recent struggles of Alexis Sanchez. Sancho is under contract in Germany until 2022. Man City retain a 15% sell-on clause on the three-time England international.
Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool tried to sign Sancho before he headed off for Dortmund.