Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has played down reports that Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Jadon Sancho.
It is no secret that the Red Devils are after the 20-year-old forward following his scintillating performances in the Bundesliga this season.
Recent reports claimed they had agreed personal terms with the player over a move, and were now negotiating with Dortmund over a transfer fee.
The German side value him at around £100m, but it is thought United are not willing to go above £80m given the current financial climate.
But speaking to Süddeutsche Zeitung, Watzke claimed the two clubs have not yet discussed any move for the player.
"So far, there has been no contact between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in terms of Sancho," he said.
"Also not indirectly or through alleged intermediaries."
Sancho has been back in training this week with Dortmund, joined by new boy Jude Bellingham after his arrival from Birmingham City.
Dortmund are heading to a pre-season training camp next week, and Watzke, publicly, insists he is confident that they will keep their star man.
"I assume that Jadon will go to the training camp on Monday and play with us for the coming season," he added.
It is set to be one of the longest-running and most complicated transfer sagas of the window, and there could yet be further twists and turns along the way.
If United are unable to sign Sancho they will no doubt turn their attentions elsewhere, with Aston Villa attacking midfielder Jack Grealish and Ajax star Danny van de Beek also being linked with moves to the club.
They may return for Sancho next summer, however, if that does prove to be the case, with their interest in the player unlikely to stop any time soon.
