Jadon Sancho’s record-breaking move to Manchester United has hit a snag.
It had looked like the Reds Devils were closing in on a deal but now it appears they are further apart with Borussia Dortmund on a valuation than was initially believed.
The winger, who left Manchester City in 2017, has developed into one of the stars in world football during his three-year stint in Germany.
There were suggestions a £70million fee up front for Sancho was on the cards, with United paying the remaining £40m in installments based on various clauses such as appearances and trophies.
It was also claimed a five-year deal has already been agreed between the 20-year-old and the Red Devils, worth £250,000-a-week.
But now chiefs at Old Trafford could call the deal off, deeming the salary and the fee to exorbitant in the current financial climate in the hope Dortmund reduce Sancho’s price.
A fully-fledged England international already, United fans are under no illusions they likely to be breaking the British transfer record once again for a world class player if he does join.
But what does the rest of the footballing world think of Sancho?
Lothar Matthaus, former Germany and Bayern Munich legend
“He’s a natural footballer. A player who has everything: fantastic speed, great technique, a good eye for his colleagues and that key pass.
“For me he is a perfect player.”
Raheem Sterling, former Manchester City teammate
“For someone so young to back themselves to go abroad is a credit to them. To go abroad so young and back yourself, that shows a lot about the person.
“He could have taken the easy route and stayed at City but he saw himself developing better.
“That’s what it’s about in football — you have to judge your own situation and he did that perfectly and all credit to him. He has knuckled down in Germany and, when you’re that age, it’s probably something you need.
“To have that seclusion and be by yourself a bit and to concentrate solely on football. I’m really happy for him.”
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“Jadon is a player that I really like to watch play and he is a great player with plenty of quality.
“Borussia Dortmund is a team with plenty of quality players. They have a special player, who is new but who is very good whose name is Sancho. He is a good player.”
Hansi Flick, Bayern Munich manager
“I can say that Jadon Sancho has a high quality but in the end he also does Borussia Dortmund very, very well.
“He is a great talent and has enormous qualities. That’s why you simply have to acknowledge that Dortmund has a very good player there.”
Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund teammate and Manchester United target
“You can see when he scores goals and dribbles past players it looks so easy. I played against him when I was 16 or 17 years old and he was the exact same – dribbling past players.
“When I played against him then he was the best player I played against and now that I get to play with him it’s fantastic.
“He assists me and we played good together. He’s as young as me and he’s amazing. He has a very bright future.”
Jordan Henderson, Liverpool captain and England teammate
“A lot of people are speaking about him (Sancho). He is a top player, a special player, that in training he has got something different and he’s sharp and able to get past players with ease.”
“Also he’s got a good head on his shoulders, he loves football, wants to improve, listen and learn so if he just continues on that path the sky’s the limit for him really.
“He just needs to keep working hard and listening to the people around him and keep doing what he’s doing.”
Rio Ferdinand, former Manchester United defender
“’I’ve seen Jadon Sancho and I’m just happy to be watching him. He is scaring the life out of seasoned Premier League players I love it.
‘Every time he gets the ball he has the respect of the defenders. He twists people all over the place. [Davinson] Sanchez was turned inside out by him. He is just unbelievable to see.”
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager
“An exceptional talent but he’s not the only one in England at the moment.
“That age group has a few, we have Rhian Brewster who is the same age, Raheem Sterling for example I don’t want to forget any wingers because there are a lot of talents.
“There’s a lot of very young, promising players in England so there’s no doubt about the potential of Jadon Sancho.
“His speed and body control in high speed is his main strength. Being good in big spaces and in small spaces makes you a pretty interesting player and that’s what Jadon is for sure.”
