DEM’S THE BREAKS
UNITED TURN TO BARCELONA STAR OUSMANE AFTER £90M BID FOR SANCHO IS REJECTED
MANCHESTER United dramatically turned their attentions to signing Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, after their latest bid for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho was rejected.
United, who have been trying to poach Sancho throughout the summer transfer window, had a £90million offer reportedly turned down by Dortmund yesterday.
However, the United squad could still be significantly boosted in the coming days, with Dembele very much in their sights.
The France international has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp, and does not appear to be in new boss Ronald Koeman’s plans for this season.
United have been interested in Dembele for some time, but the move would not be risk free, with the 23-year-old seeing injuries hamper his time at Barcelona since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
But he is a player with enormous talent, and United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer badly wants to bolster his attacking options as United look to close the gap on rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. Some reports last night said United could bring Dembele in on loan, with the transfer window closing next week.
The Old Trafford giants have continued to pursue Sancho, the player who replaced Dembele in Dortmund, despite his club regularly insisting their valuation of £110m must be met. United were also linked with a move for Gareth Bale recently, before the Welshman rejoined Tottenham on loan.
The Reds, who are in Carabao Cup fourth-round action at Brighton tonight, have hardly made the brightest start to their league season, losing at home to Crystal Palace before Saturday’s undeserved 3-2 win at Brighton.
Elsewhere, Manchester City did some more big business last night, completing the £62million signing of centre-back Ruben Dias on a six-year deal from Benfica.