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Manchester United have made some poor signings in years gone by, and are still paying dearly for certain past mistakes.
Business has improved since INEOS took control of football operations at the club, and there can be few complaints over the trio of attackers brought in this summer. United, having finished 15th in the Premier League and with no European football to offer, attracted three tremendously in-demand players.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all clearly want to be at Old Trafford and are happy to be there. Meanwhile a previous transfer misstep just wants to leave, but not at any cost.
Sancho’s priorities
Jadon Sancho, who arrived at United after a two-year pursuit at a huge cost of £73m, rarely impressed on the pitch. But since being frozen out of first-team action first by Erik ten Hag then by Ruben Amorim, he has conducted himself poorly.
The Englishman returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January last year and regained some form, but the Bundesliga giants weren’t able to permanently resign him. There followed a season-long loan to boyhood club Chelsea where he blew hot and cold. The Blues ultimately paid £5m to duck out of the obligation to buy the player after he rejected their wage offer, which did not match what he earns at United.
And this has been the story of the summer for Sancho, rebuffing offers which don’t meet his sky-high current salary. A move to Besiktas has been rumoured, and a further-advanced transfer to Roma hit the rocks after the 25-year-old seemed set to reject their contract proposal.
Roma not giving up
But the Serie A side are reluctant to give up on Sancho, and according to Corriere dello Sport there is still a chance of a deal being done.
The Italian outlet reports that the player would need a salary of at least €7m, which is at odds with the club’s current policy of reducing its wage bill – for context, their highest earner, Paulo Dybala, is on €8m.
Despite video calls with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, Sancho reportedly seemed set for Turkish side Besiktas or, claim CdS, a Saudi Pro League team. The manager has since issued a plea to Roma’s owners to try again to bring the Englishman to the Stadio Olimpico.
Concession needed
CdS claim that Roma offered Sancho €4.5m a year, barely two thirds of the salary he is demanding, but that there is a scenario in which he would accept the wage.
The 25-year-old would accept this reduction if he receives a “substantial” signing bonus. His entourage are reportedly demanding a massive €10m, and the report suggests that United may be open to contributing to this to get a sale over the line.
CdS state that the Red Devils are “eager to finalize the deal” and would consider helping Roma by guaranteeing a portion of that money in the form of back pay for July and August and a severance package.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but United might just have to deal with it to finally part ways with one of their most disastrous signings in recent memory. Whether they do, and whether the reports are correct about such a fee being required, remains to be seen.
Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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