Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has confirmed the club previously held talks with Manchester United over Jadon Sancho but reiterated the Bundesliga club's stance has not changed ahead of deadline day.
Dortmund set a deadline of August 10 for United to complete a deal for Sancho but sources told the MEN that the Reds considered that deadline to be 'artificial'. The German side have repeatedly stated that the 20-year-old won't be leaving the club with United having no intention of meeting their €120million valuation up-front.
The MEN understands United are expected to make a last-ditch attempt to sign Sancho before next Monday's 11pm deadline but are actively considering alternatives.
Zorc confirmed that talks between the two clubs have taken place in the past but insists Dortmund's stance has not changed with just days remaining in the transfer window.
"Of course we communicated with Manchester United in the past," he said. "But everything there is to tell on this matter from our end has already been said.
"And that won't change over the next three days."
Sancho missed Dortmund's game against Bayern Munich due to illness with some United supporters suggesting his absence was due to an impending transfer.
Coach Lucien Favre says Sancho is a doubt to face SC Freiburg on Saturday. He said: "Jadon had a slight cold, we'll see."
