Dortmund chief drops hint over Sancho sale
BORUSSIA Dortmund CEO HansJoachim Watzke has admitted the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic could force the club into ‘giving up a player’ in the transfer window, amid United’s continued interest in Jadon Sancho.
Following a quiet January, the Reds are hoping to add four new players to their ranks in the summer.
As well as a right-back, centreback and defensive-midfielder, a right-winger remains high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wishlist.
Sancho has been the club’s priority target for the position for a number of years but they have failed to sign him in three previous attempts.
The latest came this past summer when, despite agreeing personal terms and agent fees with the England international, United were unable to tempt Dortmund into lowering their asking price.
However, speculation in recent weeks has suggested Dortmund may now be willing to accept a fee lower than their initial demands of £108m.
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit clubs throughout the world hard financially and being unable to fill their 80,000 seater stadium has left its mark on Dortmund. Although the club remains ‘very stable’, Watzke has admitted that while the pandemic continues the club may be forced into selling a player, which could open the door for United to swoop in for Sancho.
“In the midst of a pandemic, I am now ruling nothing out,” Watzke told Handelsblatt.
“If we play the whole of next season without spectators, we must certainly think about giving up a player.”