Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has finally admitted that Jadon Sancho is destined to leave the Bundesliga club.
England ace Sancho is believed to be Manchester United's top target for next summer as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tries to turn his ailing side back into contenders.
A 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday showed how far both teams are currently behind the Premier League's top two Liverpool and Manchester City
Sancho is also admired by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who described the £100million-rated winger as “an exceptional talent".
The 19-year-old is also believed to be a target for Dortmund's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich , and is coveted by clubs across Europe after impressing last season.
Sancho scored 12 goals and landed 14 assists in 34 league matches last year, emerging as his side’s most potent attacker.
The youngster had left Manchester City in search of first-team football, and his move paid off as he became a key player in Dortmund's Bundesliga title challenge and earned his first caps for England.
Now, Dortmund chief Zorc has admitted it is inevitable his star man will leave the club - although he insists even next summer may be too soon for the teenager to join a Premier League club.
Asked about Sancho's future, Zorc told German publication Kicker: "No decision has been made. But you don’t have to be a prophet to know he won’t play here for another five years.
"But he knows full well his positive development at Borussia Dortmund and I doubt that would be possible with top English clubs.
"We trust the players very early and are not afraid to let them play.”
Zorc added: "He's an instinctive footballer, a street footballer. He's always a footballer, but he's always setting new limits.
"He does not sit back satisfied. He wants to play football successfully and beautifully. That alone is his motivation.”
United are continuing to monitor his progress ahead of a potential move next summer.
However, Sancho’s situation remains complicated by former club City, who maintain a clause that gives them 15 per cent of profit from a future sale, and also a first-refusal option.
