Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke admits Jadon Sancho expected to move clubs in the summer transfer window.
The England international was identified as Manchester United's top target last year but a move never materialised over financial concerns surrounding the deal.
United were prepared to invest a British record fee in order to land Sancho in the summer but could not find a suitable compromise with Dortmund over the structure of a deal - having made it clear there was a strict limit to their budget in the current economic environment.
The Bundesliga side stuck with their €120million asking price for the 20-year-old winger and were unwilling to accept a lower up-front fee with performance related add-ons. United felt the total transfer package Dortmund were demanding was not realistic given it would've meant shattering their own club-record fee as well as paying significant player and agent fees.
Sancho hasn't quite been himself since the failed move in the summer, scoring just a single goal in the German top-flight after he had managed an impressive 17 goals last season.
Watzke admits the drop in form could be a result of the emotional impact the transfer saga had on him, but he insists Sancho remains one of the most exciting players in world football.
“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," Watzke told German magazine Kicker.
The Dortmund CEO added: “I think he needs two or three success stories in a row, then things will quickly improve again. He is still one of the greatest talents there is.”
