Nothing about Manchester United’s 2020 summer transfer window felt planned. The fact four of five deals were completed on transfer deadline day speaks for itself.
The one deal United wanted to get over the line was a move for Jadon Sancho. But this fell apart. It can be attributed to two factors, firstly United’s decision not to meet Dortmund’s asking price, and secondly the financial impact of Covid, which no doubt played a part in United’s reluctance to stump up the cash.
Sancho has had a tough start to the season before turning it around in 2021 so far. He still ranks fourth in the Bundesliga for assists, with seven in 16 games.
What Sancho’s slow start to the season did do, was underline that he probably was not worth the £108 million Dortmund were said to be asking for.
Falling into place
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke admitted to Kicker earlier this month Sancho expected to move last summer, “Subconsciously, Jadon had probably already prepared a little for a change. I think he had at least thought so much about it that he lost his ease.”
All is not well at Dortmund right now. German channel Sport1 report the club’s players are giving up 10 per cent of their salary to save the club money.
The channel report Dortmund expect to sell Sancho this summer, and possibly one other star too. They also concede that the fee they asked for last year and failed to get, will not be possible this summer either.
The report states: “They will probably not get the desired sum again. BVB, which expects a loss of 100 million euros due to the corona pandemic, will, however, rely on transfer revenues to avoid losses and would probably let the player go for less money.”
The scene is set for United to move in. You wonder what success the club might even have with a late bid this month, for an immediate or future transfer.
Dortmund sit seventh in the Bundesliga, and could miss out even on Europa League football as it stands. This would be a big sporting and financial blow, and accelerate Erling Haaland’s departure too.
Do United still need Sancho?
United are still doing well without Sancho, so there was not a need to break the bank and take a big financial risk this past summer.
If this enables us to land him for a cut price fee of even £80 million, it would seem like a masterstroke, coupled with the team’s current success
There is still a big gap on United’s wings, and Sancho would be able to come in and contribute immediately,
Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri are long term plays. Sancho would upgrade the wings now and take the pressure off both of them.
Dortmund cannot hold onto Sancho forever. Hesitation last summer was frustrating from the outside, but no damage appears to have been done at this point, only to the German side who missed out on a windfall.
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