The most protracted transfer saga of the 21st century finally looks to have come to an end as Manchester United thrash out the final details in the deal with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho.
The England winger has been United’s top target since last summer, when they refused to meet Dortmund’s €120 million asking price for him. The Red Devils waited a year and saved themselves €25m, while Dortmund won the German Cup and finished in the top four, meaning that all parties come out of the deal looking good.
Only one question now remains: where will Sancho play at Old Trafford?
United already boats a host of attacking talent, with Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford the future of club and country, and Edinson Cavani still finding the net on a regular basis despite turning 34 earlier this year.
Anthony Martial has flattered to deceive recently in the Premier League and there is even talk he may leave the club, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has to find room for all his attacking options.
Greenwood may be the unlucky one to miss out, but with the Champions League to contend for as well as all the domestic trophies, rotation will be necessary.
Sancho is a smart signing for United as he instantly improves their attack. He has provided 20 assists in each of the last three seasons with Dortmund and is one of Europe’s most gifted technical players.
Bundesliga defences play higher than their Premier League counterparts, but Sancho’s intelligence and trickery allow him to break down even the best backlines and he will show this back in his home country.
He can play on either wing as well as through the middle, and almost spent as much time lining up on the right as he did the left last season. This versatility will allow Solskjaer to change tactics during games and give United an extra layer of unpredictability.
Sancho also poses a threat in front of goal, scoring in five of the six German Cup games he played in last season, including a two goal and one assist showing in the final, where he proved that transfer talk was not distracting him from doing his job.
He missed Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final with former employer Man City, but proved himself earlier in the tournament with two goals and three assists and even scored at Camp Nou against Barcelona back in 2019.
England manager Gareth Southgate may not have started him at EURO 2020, but that means he will be even fresher for the new season with Man Utd. The Premier League better watch out.
Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul)