Back in 2020, Jadon Sancho was Manchester United’s top transfer target heading into the summer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s Manchester United were in the market for attacking reinforcements and had set their sights firmly set on Jadon Sancho.
He was 20 years old at the time and had just finished the 2019/20 season at Borussia Dortmund with 20 goals and 20 assists across all competitions
United had held talks over a potential move but The Telegraph reported that the Red Devils were hesitating over paying a £100m fee.
As it turned out, United would wait until the summer of 2021 to sign Sancho from Dortmund for a £73m fee. However, the English winger never lived up to his potential at Old Trafford and Sancho completed a loan switch to Chelsea this summer.
Man United made £84m Ansu Fati bid
Solskjaer was looking to make a statement signing up front for United and ended up completing a deal for Sancho, but reports now claim United also launched a huge bid for an alternative target.
United had been linked to Barcelona’s Ansu Fati in the summer of 2020 with some reports suggesting a staggering £135m bid had been submitted.
The Spanish winger had just enjoyed a breakthrough to Barcelona’s first team aged 17 and was considered as one of the most exciting young talents in the world.
The Athletic have now confirmed that United did submit a bid for Fati in 2020, but it wasn’t quite as big as the £135m reports suggested.
They claim United bid £84m (€100million) for Fati in an attempt to land the exciting teenager. The bid was rejected by Barcelona.
Four years later, United can consider themselves very lucky their bid wasn’t successful.
Man United had lucky escape with Ansu Fati
United’s high-profile move for Sancho obviously ended up in misery with the winger falling out with Ten Hag and leaving to join Chelsea having made next to no impact at Old Trafford.
But in hindsight, United will also be glad they dodged a big-money deal for Fati.
The now 21-year-old has been unable to live up to his lofty potential at Barcelona due to recurring injury problems.
An injury to his foot means he has not made a single appearance for Barca this season after returning from a disappointing loan spell at Brighton last season.
Sealing a loan deal for Fati appeared to be a marquee signing for the Seagulls, but Fati’s time in the Premier League was underwhelming and plagued by injuries. He ended his time on the south coast with four goals in 27 appearances.
Fati is still held in high regard at Barcelona but they would likely snap up an £84m deal for the youngster if it was offered to them now.
Thankfully, United seem to have veered away from throwing huge transfer fees around under new ownership. Ineos completed five smart signings in their first summer window in charge, and managed to avoid overpaying for any of them.
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