Borussia Dortmund told Manchester United that €100m would not be enough to sign Jadon Sancho in the past summer’s transfer window.
While the Bundesliga club were insistent they never wanted to sell the 19-year-old in 2019 in any case, there were discussions between the two clubs, and The Independent has been told the Old Trafford hierarchy were planning a proper bid. It was made clear to United, however, that €100m would not be enough to get him this year.
The player and his entourage themselves had reservations about moving to Old Trafford at this time, and the preference was always to stay at Dortmund at least another season.
Dortmund sporting director Micheal Zorc confirmed that the two clubs met to discuss a potential transfer in episode three of the Inside Borussia Dortmund documentary series, part of Amazon Prime’s “All or Nothing” series.
In the episode, filmed in March, Zorc holds a meeting with other club chiefs Matthias Sammer, Sebastian Kehl and chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke.
“A hot topic right now is Sancho and Manchester United,” Zorc said.
“Both his discussions with the club and mine with the consultants. A meeting did take place. Manchester United invited the consultant.
“But according to what I know, the consultant told the club that no matter how much money they offer, we won’t let him go this summer.
“But the player also has no intention of taking that step this summer.”
Sancho opened his England account in victory over Kosovo, with team mate Raheem Sterling setting up both of the winger’s goals.
Sterling praised Sancho’s work ethic after the game.
“He was in my room at 10.30 last night begging for me to square one for him so I was really happy to see him score his first one,” Sterling said.
“He is a good kid, even when I was at that age I wasn’t doing some of the things he is doing, he is professional, he does all of his treatment, he is in the ice bath.
“I see that he really wants to do well and he has got the ability as well, he is not just relying on his ability. He is putting in hard work in the training sessions.”
The wonder is what Sancho will be worth if he ever eventually leaves, especially after finding his feet with England. Sancho scored twice and forced another own goal in a brilliant individual performance in the 5-3 win over Kosovo in Southampton on Tuesday.
