According to a recent report by the Evening Standard, both Manchester United and Chelsea have made Borussia Dortmund wing wizard Jadon Sancho their top priority for the January transfer window. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has revealed that the club are unlikely to sell the England international this winter (via the Evening Standard). He said, “We’re continuing to plan with him. He’s a fundamental player for us and I do not see any scenario where he leaves us.
“We have already had some situations with him to talk about, and there have been a lot of interviews in the last few weeks.
“We are in a good way; when he came off the bench in Barcelona and also in Berlin, he gave us a top performance.”
Why Man United Need To Sign Sancho
Zorc’s revelation will feel like a hammer blow for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s chances of recruiting Sancho in January. The Red Devils are in dire need of some quality acquisitions next month if they are to make a real push to finish in one of the top 4 spots in the Premier League this season.
The 19-year-old would have been a fantastic acquisition for United as he can consistently score and create goals in the Bundesliga. He would have added a lot of creativity, dynamism and goal-threat from the wide areas. Furthermore, Sancho is young, English and his ceiling is sky-high.
His Numbers Tell The Story
Sancho has played in 20 matches for Lucien Favre’s team this term, finding the back of the net on nine occasions while providing ten assists on all fronts. The English prospect is averaging 1.8 shots, 1.8 key passes and 2.6 dribbles per match in the German top-flight. He also boasts a healthy Pass Success Percentage of 85.1 (stats via whoscored).
What Should Be Solskjaer’s Play?
It looks like Dortmund is playing ‘hard-ball’ which means that it will take a mammoth offer to change their stance on Sancho in January. If Man United are to bridge the gap to Liverpool and Manchester City in the coming years, then they need to splash the cash to try and lure the English teenager to Old Trafford.
It’s high time Solskjaer made a few marquee additions to his squad so that he can turn his fortunes around for the better at the Theatre of Dreams. Dortmund’s reluctance to sell their prized asset in January is undeniably a road-block in United’s path.
The Red Devils have the financial resources to convince the German club to sanction a transfer this winter before other top clubs come calling for the player next summer. However, they should only do so if they are convinced about Sancho and the impact he could potentially make at Manchester.
