Manchester United were strongly linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho over the summer.
The last transfer window shut with the 20-year-old remaining in Germany and reports claiming that the Red Devils refused to meet Dortmund’s transfer demands.
It had been reported in September that the Bundesliga giants requested a €120 million fee for their star, off the back of the campaign where he supplied a staggering 20 goals and 20 assists in all competitions.
Following the strong rumours that a move to Manchester United was on the cards, Sancho has failed to replicate the same form so far this term – only scoring his first league goal this past weekend.
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has now admitted, perhaps to little surprise, that the attacker was mentally prepared to leave the club during the last transfer window. Watzke is quoted by Kicker as saying:
“Jadon might have been subconsciously prepared for a change. I think he had at least thought so much about it that he lost his ease, but I have found him trying very hard for weeks.
“I think he needs two or three successes in a row, then things will quickly improve again. He is still one of the greatest talents there is.”
It is worth noting that the Kicker article doesn’t specifically mention Manchester United or give any hints to which club(s) were interested in signing Sancho last summer.
However, when asked whether claims Borussia Dortmund were really demanding €120 million to let Sancho leave, Watzke dismissed it by saying:
“The alleged transfer fee often mentioned in the media never existed in reality. And if you get a signal at some point that a large part of the amount offered will only be paid in a few years, it will finally be a pure theoretical discussion.”
Manchester United are exceeding all expectations this season as they currently share the lead at the top of the Premier League with Liverpool. Just think what they could have done with Sancho in the lineup too?
The January transfer window is now open, though it’s very rare that superstar make their move during this time of the season. However, Watzke’s words and Sancho’s drop in form could certainly allow United to make a move for substantially cheaper than the previously suggested price when the next window opens at the end of the current campaign.
