Man Utd star could make way for Jadon Sancho as Ed Woodward continues transfer assault

Posted Sunday, August 02, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Man Utd star could make way for Jadon Sancho as Ed Woodward continues transfer assault
Man Utd are pressing ahead with Jadon Sancho transfer assault (Image: GETTY)

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward is working hard to sign Jadon Sancho in this summer's transfer window.

Manchester United star Jesse Lingard could make way for Jadon Sancho in this summer’s transfer window, reports say. The Red Devils are determined to sign the Borussia Dortmund star with Ed Woodward currently conducting negotiations behind the scenes. And Lingard may lose his place in the squad to his compatriot, having struggled for form this season.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear to Woodward he wants Sancho signed with speed.

The Red Devils manager is eager to avoid a protracted saga, with the club dragging their feet over deals for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes over the past 12 months.

And the Manchester Evening News say that Lingard could ‘make way’ for Sancho this summer.

There have been conflicting reports about the England international and his future at the club, having struggled throughout the course of the campaign.

Some have suggested Solskjaer will stand by the 27-year-old and give him one final chance to prove his worth.

But others have claimed that United will look to offload him in the transfer window to raise funds, with Sancho likely to go for a fee in the region of £108million.

West Ham have been tipped to sign Lingard, with David Moyes previously overseeing the playmaker’s development.

And so too have Newcastle and Leicester.

Regarding Sancho, United are confident they’ll be able to bring the Dortmund star to Old Trafford this summer.

And they’re ready to let him take the shirt number he wants, with both the No 7 and No 11 shirt at the club currently vacant.

United are said to be taking a ‘creative’ approach to the deal, with Sky Sports reporter James Cooper recently saying: “He's the club's No 1 target for the position that requires premium strengthening on the right flank of the attack.

“Though he could play anywhere across the front-line in a way that Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood have all done from time to time especially during the post-lockdown games.

“The jostling has already started in earnest with Manchester United convinced the player would like to come to Old Trafford but at 20 years of age, Borussia Dortmund know they have an asset that will only grow in value so are aiming to strike a deal that reflects that.

“Ultimately, it'll be about structuring things in the right way to get the transfer done and while it'll probably mean United paying more than they want to, something that seems to be a transfer window tradition, there will need be some financial prudency - all indications are that this won't be the summer of blank cheques.

“Just the fact that the shortlist for the position includes someone of the quality of Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman as a possible loan target, in case a Sancho deal doesn't materialise, illustrates that Manchester United are prepared to think more creatively especially as Dortmund could be in a far weaker position next summer if they don't want to play ball in the next few weeks.

“It's also worth a reminder that the purchase of Bruno Fernandes, perhaps the defining moment in the resurgence of Solskjaer's squad, was summer transfer business brought forward and Ed Woodward will be delighted by his impact and the decision to spend when resources were more abundant.”

United legend Ryan Giggs has praised Sancho, adding: “Sancho is quick, direct but also an intelligent player.

“What I like about him is when he gets into them areas with the final ball, he doesn’t panic. A lot of quick wide players sometimes do but he picks out the right pass.

“He’s someone who can counter-attack if we’re going to play that but also if a team are going to sit back, he can beat players and make things happen.

“They are two signings that may be available and if we’re able to get them, I would go and get them.”