Manchester United have been backed to complete a deal for Jadon Sancho despite comments that surfaced on Monday.
Manchester United will still end up signing Jadon Sancho this summer despite comments from Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc, according to former Red Devils midfielder Owen Hargreaves. On Monday, Zorc claimed Dortmund are preparing for Sancho to be at their club next season and that the decision was “final”. However, Hargreaves still believes the England international will complete a move to Old Trafford in this transfer window.
Sancho is United’s top transfer target and a five-year contract in principle has reportedly been agreed.
However, Dortmund are holding out for €120million (£108m), a fee United are currently not prepared to pay.
But Hargreaves believes a transfer will go through eventually before October’s deadline.
“Bluff! Calling the bluff, yeah,” Hargreaves said on BT Sport.
“I think [Sancho] will be a Man United player in a pretty short time.
“[Dortmund are] trying to get a bit more money out of it, that’s just the nature of the beast.
“Obviously they know United are really interested, they’re pretty heavy into negotiations.
“But I think they’re bluffing, they know he’s going to leave at that price.”
Hargreaves does not blame Dortmund for their approach but says United will know the German club have a history of selling their top players.
“Everybody’s trying to do their job,” the pundit added.
“I think for Dortmund, Man United know they sell all their players, they always have done for the last five or six years.
“So you can almost laugh them off and say: ‘Come on, we know you always sell your best players’.
“But because of all the players they’ve sold and all the money they’ve generated, they’re probably not in a position where – even though there’s the coronavirus – they don’t need it as desperate.
“They sold [Ousmane] Dembele for £100m so I think they can hold out a little bit longer, get a bit more money.”
Zorc also explained Sancho’s contract situation at a press conference on Monday.
“We plan on having Jadon Sancho in our team this season, the decision is final,” Zorc told reporters.
“I think that answers all our questions.
“Last summer, we adjusted Jadon’s salary to match the development of his performances.
“So in context, we had already extended his contract until 2023 back then.”
