Jadon Sancho to Manchester United transfer talks ongoing despite confusion after defiant Dortmund statement

Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho has been thrown into fresh confusion after Borussia Dortmund claimed it was “set in stone” that the England international would stay at the club.

But despite the German giants’ CEO Hans Joachim Watzke publicly declaring a proposed move to Old Trafford is now dead, it’s understood United are still in negotiations for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target.

Responding to ongoing speculation about Sancho’s future, Watzke said: “I read that, too. That’s what experts like Paul Scholes or Owen Hargreaves say.

“They were great footballers, and they are football experts. But I don’t know if they’re also transfer experts. Sancho staying at BVB is set in stone.”

United are frustrated with the slow progress in their pursuit of Sancho, with personal terms and agent fees a sticking point on top of Dortmund’s £108million valuation.

Solskjaer has backed the club’s transfer committee to press ahead with alternative targets as talks drag on – but Sancho remains his priority. And the 20-year-old is said to have his heart set on a move to Old Trafford.

But Watzke insists there is no danger of the winger trying to force a move.

“We have a good relationship with his advisors,” he told dpa. “We recognise that Jadon has reacted very well.

"And he recognises that we have a good team in which people enjoy playing football. He shows this joy every day. In training. In the game.”

It is understood Sancho was one of a short list of up to five candidates capable of operating on the right of United’s attack.

Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman was one of those names, while Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele has been linked in recent days.

Solskjaer has previously told executive vice chairman Ed Woodward to look no lower than his second choice target – but it’s understood multiple options are under consideration for what has been a problem position at United for some time.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc claimed on Monday that Sancho would be staying for the upcoming season after failing to secure a move by the club’s self-imposed deadline of August 10.

United have always considered that an artificial deadline and have continued to push for a breakthrough during negotiations with Sancho’s agent Emeka Obasi, who Dortmund instructed them to go through.

And their priority remains to reach an agreement over a deal that is likely to be the biggest of a window that has been depressed by the effects of coronavirus.

Solskjaer believes Sancho has the potential to become a superstar at Old Trafford, with the iconic No7 shirt waiting for him.

The Norwegian wants to add the former Manchester City academy graduate to a thrilling attack that already includes Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

And the belief within United is that the player is equally as excited about a move despite this week speaking in glowing terms of life at Dortmund.

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