Man United: Focus on Jack Grealish after completing Jadon Sancho deal

Finally, the Red Devils have started their business in the transfer market.

After witnessing a saga on Jadon Sancho the day after clinching a league spot in behind Liverpool and Manchester City, it seems Man United fans are well poised to receive a bunch of encouraging stories in the coming few days.

On the opening day of the transfer market, the Red Devils were subject of conflicting reports regarding Sancho from media outlets reporting in England and Germany. In all likeliness, the deal – no matter how probable the chances of it happening are – was touted to be a protracted affair, with Man United and Borussia Dortmund remaining distant in their valuation of Jadon Sancho.

However, it has just taken over 24 hours for Ed Woodward and Matt Judge, United’s transfer negotiators, to strike initial-level dialogues with Dortmund. As things stand, Red Devils and Der BVB need to find a financial compromise to propel this deal over the finishing line.

Currently, stories suggest that Jadon Sancho, himself, has requested his current employers to sanction the transfer should a suitable offer arrives. Additionally, Dortmund has started to prepare for their prized asset’s departure by eyeing attacking replacements.

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"There’s no doubt their number one target is Jadon Sancho, and I think they’ve ticked a massive box in having Champions League football because that’s attractive to someone like him, and I think it’s perhaps a deal that can be done.But it’s going to be really difficult, complex, difficult-to-structure deal, bearing in mind I don’t think Manchester United will put a £100m cheque on the lap of Borussia Dortmund. (James Cooper, Sky Sports)"

From Dortmund’s perspective, they would’ve liked Sancho to stay for another year to create a bidding war next summer when financial trouble subsides. But there is a consensus that this period could be best to attain a maximum sale value for the attacking prodigy.

Knowing this, Man United are keeping their counsel to save funds in the current economic climate. However, potential add-ons are expected to be added which might push the transfer value in the realms of Dortmund’s desire. A light is surely appearing with the saga approaching the end of the tunnel.

Jack Grealish on United’s radar after Jadon Sancho

Gone are those days when Manchester United desperately needed creative ideas to supplement the attack. Since the arrival of Bruno Fernandes in the final days of January, Solskjaer’s requirement of a playmaker has subsided.

Though, United insiders, after extensive scouting in previous months, decided to start dialogues with Aston Villa for their skipper Jack Grealish, only for COVID-19 lockdown to halt the talks on an abrupt note.

Shifting their focus towards a top-four finish, Man United prioritised the run of fixtures in the Project Restart – where the lack of quality in squad depth became evident as Solskjaer’s men limped their way to results towards the last few matches.

Citing Aston Villa’s remarkable survival in the Premier League, there is an impediment in Man United’s revival of interest in Jack Grealish. The transfer price – anticipated to be around £45m a few months ago – has jumped to £80m with the Birmingham club in no need to sell their players to comply with Financial Fair Play norms.

Maybe, there could be another twist in this story, with Ed Woodward already having negotiated with AFC Ajax over a cheaper alternative in Donny van de Beek.

However, with Champions League football next season, additional funds and the need to compete on all fronts might tempt the bosses to sanction this deal to inject quality into Ole Gunnar Solskaer’s squad.

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is willing to move for Jack Grealish even if Manchester United complete the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, although the Aston Villa star has been made aware he may not be a certain starter every week. (Miguel Delaney, The Independent)"

The Red Devils are planning a mass exodus of fringe squad members, providing extra funds and, still, there exists a chance of negotiation with Villa should Grealish express his desire to seek greener pastures.

Jack Grealish or Donny van de Beek, who do you think could arrive after Jadon Sancho?