Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made Jadon Sancho a transfer priority this summer despite support from some Manchester United players for Jack Grealish as a signing.
Solskjaer will turn his attention to strengthening his squad after the Europa League final on Wednesday against Villarreal, with Borussia Dortmund’s Sancho a long-term target in a market that will be impacted by whether Harry Kane can succeed in leaving Tottenham.
Sancho, 21, is expected to be allowed to leave Dortmund in the next window for around £75million, one year after United were interested but could not strike a deal for the ex-Manchester City winger.
Grealish is also admired at Old Trafford, where players who have faced him or played with him at England privately consider him to be an appealing summer signing. The Aston Villa forward would command a fee similar to Sancho, with the Dortmund player thought to be Solskjaer’s preference.
Pep Guardiola regards Grealish as one of the best players in the Premier League and he is one of the players Manchester City are considering as they look to defend their title in 2021/22. Kane’s desire to leave Spurs, however, has changed the landscape of the summer market as only United, City and Chelsea could realistically afford any deal for him to remain in England.
Solskjaer refused to rule out a move for another striker despite Edinson Cavani committing himself to United for a further campaign. The Norwegian’s aim is for a “stronger squad at the start of next season”
Sancho has remained in his thinking in the season after Dortmund’s asking price of £108million was not met by a bidder, or lowered by the Bundesliga club. Despite his future looking uncertain at the start of the campaign he returned eight goals and 11 assists in his league matches.
He has other clubs across Europe looking at his situation following his rise at Westfalenstadion, where he quickly broke into the first team and earned England recognition after moving to Germany four years ago.
Dortmund finished in the Champions League positions this season but an eventual return to England has looked possible for Sancho. At United, Solskjaer has wanted another wide forward as he attempts to close the gap on City and sustain a title challenge.
He could win his first major trophy as United’s manager when his team faces Unai Emery’s team at Gdansk Stadium in Poland. Harry Maguire has been a doubt with ankle-ligament damage. United forward Mason Greenwood believes the trophy will be a breakthrough moment for his team.
“If you want to be the best football club in the world or in the country you’ve got to bring home the silverware and that’s something United have done over many years,” he said.
“We’ve maybe dropped off a little bit throughout the recent years but hopefully, after this one, if we win against Villarreal, that can be like a little stepping stone to get us started on where we want to be.”