Man Utd make final transfer decision on Lyon striker Moussa Dembele
Posted Wednesday, July 08, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk
EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United were interested in the France striker who's netted 31 goals in 60 league appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit
Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Lyon striker Moussa Dembele.
United bosses had been keeping close tabs on the France U21 international with a view to making a £60m bid for him in the summer transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent scouts to watch him on several occasions before the Ligue 1 campaign was cut short due to the Covid-19 crisis.
But it is understood the former Celtic favourite, 23, is no longer on United's radar due to a combination of the forward's wage demands and emergence of Mason Greenwood.
Dembele has scored 31 goals in 60 league appearances for Lyon since joining them Celtic in a £20m deal in 2018 to emerge as one of the most exciting forwards in European football.
Moussa Dembele is no longer a Manchester United target. (Image: REUTERS)
But United believe Dembele's personal terms are too high and that Solskjaer might not have to sign a striker in the next transfer window due to the rapid progress of Greenwood this season.
The teenage sensation has taken the Premier League by storm with 15 goals in all competitions and is being tipped to earn a first call-up to the England squad in August.
United remain determined to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund provided a fee can be agreed and Solskjaer believes his arrival, coupled with the scoring abilities of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, can help spearhead a title challenge next season.
Mason Greenwood's emergence has forced Solskjaer's hand. (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Reports in Germany, meanwhile, claim United have until August 10 to seal a deal to sign Sancho from Dortmund.
United have been chasing the England international since the start of the season and remain confident of landing him in a deal worth around £70m.
But Dortmund bosses are not prepared to let the situation drag on through the summer and want United to make a bid sooner rather than later so it can be discussed and dealt with.
Sancho, on the other hand, is keen to see if United secure Champions League qualification first before deciding what his next move will be.
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