Manchester United hope Borussia Dortmund will renege on their firm stance that Jadon Sancho will not be sold this summer, despite sources close to the deal starting to doubt that the £108m deal will be completed.
Talks between the two clubs seemed to break down publicly when Dortmund’s hierarchy stated equivocally that Sancho would not be sold, with United failing to agree a fee and payment structure for the England international.
United are expected to continue their pursuit of the 20-year-old regardless, but Italian publication Corriere dello Sportreport that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have identified Juventus’s Douglas Costa as an alternative. The Italian champions are keen to downsize their exorbitant wage bill, and United are said to be considering a £27m bid for the 29-year-old.
Another touted target is Bournemouth winger David Brooks, according to Sport Witness, with a reported £40m price tag set for the former Manchester City academy winger after the Cherries’ new head coach Jason Tindall admitted this week that he “won’t stand in anybody’s way”.
The 23-year-old has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, with teammates Nathan Ake and Aaron Ramsdale both already securing moves away to City and Sheffield United respectively.
United’s interest in signing a new centre-back to compete with Victor Lindelof is well publicised, but Gabriel Magalhaes will not be that replacement, despite United renewing contact with the Lille defender’s agents late last week.
Magalhaes, who is set to finally complete his £27m move to Arsenal next week, had delayed a decision over his future, with both Arsenal and Napoli agreeing fees with Lille prior to United’s late intervention.
United did not make an official bid for the player, though, instead asking for more time, and Arsenal are now set to announce the signing of the coveted 22-year-old on a five-year contract.
