Manchester United target Jadon Sancho has talked about his ‘special’ Dortmund team-mates after the Bundesliga side blocked his move to Old Trafford.
Dortmund were willing to allow the winger leave this summer but they set the Red devils a deadline of August 10th to complete the deal and, United failed to meet their £108m asking price, they now insist Sancho stay at the club.
Sancho was keen to join United but he’s unlikely to hand in a transfer request to force through a move, particularly as Dortmund confirmed they handed him a pay rise last summer to tie him until 2023.
The 20-year-old joined up with his team-mates for pre-season on Monday and he played 45 minutes in Dortmund’s friendly game against Altach today.
Sancho had a goal cancelled for offside but he looked very lively as he played alongside the club’s new signing Jude Bellingham for the first time.
The winger has remained silent on the reports of a move to United but he spoke about his joy of playing for Dortmund after the 6-0 win, saying the German club have some ‘special players’ coming through.
‘I love playing with this lot,’ said Sancho. ‘It is a special bunch. We’ve got some special young players coming up.
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‘I am really happy to share the pitch with them and guide them. I was once in their shoes, playing with the seniors. I am happy for them’.
However, Manchester United remain convinced that they can still sign Sancho and believe that Dortmund are simply trying to get a larger fee for the England international.
The main problem in a possible deal is the gap in valuation between both teams, with United only prepared to pay around £80m-£90m for the player.
Dortmund are under little pressure to sell Sancho and the news that the winger’s contract runs until 2023 – which is a whole year longer than previously thought – was a blow to United’s chances.