Manchester United have warned Borussia Dortmund that they are prepared to walk away from a deal for Jadon Sancho unless the Bundesliga club lower their asking price.
United believe Dortmund’s demands of €120m (£108m) are unrealistic in the current climate following the Covid-19 pandemic and will not be forced into a deal.
The Bundesliga club have set a 10 August deadline for United’s final offer for Sancho to be submitted, as they wish to find a replacement for the England international during the current window.
It is understood that United are reluctant to work against that deadline, with club sources describing it as ‘artificial’, and discussions are said to still be at an early stage.
Sancho is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s primary transfer target during the current window but there remains significant distance between the two clubs on a fee, while personal terms are also yet to be fully agreed.
United are determined to be disciplined in the market this summer as they count the cost of the pandemic’s effect on football.
Earlier this year, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said that speculation regarding £100m moves “ignores reality” and that this summer’s market would not be ‘business as usual’.
It is thought that United are willing to pursue alternatives to Sancho if a deal can not be done at a reasonable price, though Sancho is very much their preferred option.
The 20-year-old is viewed as a player who could complement Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on the right-hand side of United’s attack.
