Manchester United, it seems, will not take no for an answer.
They are determined to secure the signing of Jadon Sancho and bring to an end what is becoming an increasingly frustrating and drawn-out transfer saga.
Borussia Dortmund, though, have different ideas. The Bundesliga club have insisted that they have no intention of selling their prized asset, who if he does leave will probably command a fee in excess of £100m.
Sancho, too, seems in no hurry to return to England. With question marks surrounding his wage demands and agent’s fees, the transfer remains up in the air.
But United have not given up just yet. Here we take a look at the latest updates from the summer’s biggest story.
Wage demands and agent’s fees causing problems in United negotiations
United’s attempts to bring the Sancho saga to a conclusion are being held up by the player’s contract demands and agent’s fees .
The MEN understands that no agreement has been reached between player and club, with discussions still ongoing with agent Emeka Obasi.
United are determined not to give up on the 20-year-old, despite the Bundesliga club’s reluctance to sell, and the ‘obstacle’ of Sancho’s salary demands and potential agent fees,
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc recently claimed that the England international will remain at Dortmund after he put pen to paper on a new deal set to keep him at the club until 2023.
If United fail in their attempts to sign Sancho, they may look towards other options, including Bournemouth’s David Brooks and Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman.
United considering summer move for Brooks
David Brooks remains a United target but the club have yet to make contact with Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old winger is seen as a possible alternative to Sancho, whose signature continues to elude the Reds.
Brooks is expected to be available for around £40m this summer after Bournemouth’s relegation from the Premier League.
United are believed to have been interested in the Wales international for some time, and he would be a much cheaper option than Sancho.
It remains to be seen, though, whether any move will depend on the outcome of the Sancho transfer saga.
United should set their own Sancho deadline
United should set a deadline of their own in an attempt to speed up negotiations with Dortmund, writes Tyrone Marshall .
The deadline set by the Bundesliga club passed on August 10, though the Reds are still pursuing a deal for Sancho.
Dortmund are unlikely to budge from their €120m valuation of the youngster, so it has now become a game of cat and mouse.
United may yet choose to bide their time and wait for Dortmund to make the first move. But that might not be the most efficient approach, given the nature of this window and the fact that the new season will begin in only a few weeks.
The Sancho transfer is, at the moment, the focus of attention and could distract United from other potential signings. It might be wise, then, to set a deadline and see how Dortmund respond.
