Manchester United have still not made a breakthrough in discussions over Jadon Sancho's wage demands and agent's fees.
The MEN understands there is still no resolution on the 20-year-old Sancho's salary expectations in discussions with his agent Emeka Obasi and the intermediary fee demanded by Marco Lichtsteiner, acting on behalf of Borussia Dortmund.
It is understood United have not even broached the issue of the proposed transfer fee and how it would be structured, with Sancho valued at £108million by Dortmund.
Even though Obasi represents Sancho he is believed to be communicating Dortmund's own demands, which has surprised United.
United's preference is to negotiate a deal comprised of add-ons, which has become standard practice since they signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton for an up-front fee of £75m rising to £90m in 2017.
Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Bruno Fernandes joined United for fees that could rise and Harry Maguire is the only recent exception in that Leicester demanded a straight fee of £80m. Fred and Diogo Dalot had release clauses.
United have refused to give up on signing Sancho after Dortmund insisted he would stay at the club and are frustrated by the slow pace of negotiations with Lichtsteiner, brother of former Juventus and Arsenal defender Stephan.
Sources have described it as 'unusual' of Dortmund to have hired an intermediary to act on their behalf and described Sancho's wage demands and agents fees as an 'obstacle'. United are determined not to repeat mistakes of the past in overpaying the agent or player, since Mino Raiola pocketed £41m from the Paul Pogba deal in 2016 and Alexis Sanchez's status as highest earner caused resentment among some players. United sources have described Sancho's wage expectations as a 'real situation'.
Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc last week claimed the club had extended Sancho's contract to 2023 and the decision on him staying was 'final'. Sancho is currently training with Dortmund at their pre-season camp in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland ahead of the start of the Bundesliga season next month. The summer transfer window closes on October 5.
The MEN last month reported United were relaxed amid Dortmund's tactics to unnerve them in their pursuit of Sancho and sources in Germany say Dortmund want to 'own the story'. United were initially irritated by inaccurate reports emanating from Germany that they had agreed terms with Sancho.
If a move for Sancho fails to materialise, United are prepared to look to alternatives amid interest in Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo, Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman and Bournemouth's David Brooks. United view the right wing as a priority position to strengthen and only signed Daniel James last year after they failed with a move for Sancho.
The MEN previously reported Sancho had confided in friends at former club Manchester City he would relish returning to Manchester to play for United. The MEN first revealed United's interest in Sancho when they tried to sign him from City in 2017 but their rivals blocked a move and Sancho joined Dortmund for £8m.
