It doesn’t seem like Manchester United will sign Jadon Sancho this summer after all.The Red Devils have until October 5 to strike an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over the 20-year-old.They’ve been trying for months but Dortmund continue to hold firm on their €120 million asking price for Sancho.According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is "stalling" as Dortmund won’t accept any less for the winger.
So the decision is in United’s hands - but they’ve so far been reluctant to pull the trigger at that price.
Perhaps their desperation to improve their attacking options will force them to give in to Dortmund’s demands. We’ll have to wait and see.
But according to Sky Sports, they’ve already got four alternatives if they can’t complete a deal for Sancho.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add more depth to his attack, and so not every alternative to Sancho is a winger.
Among the other names being considered is Edinson Cavani, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford pretty much every summer for the past few years.
The Uruguayan striker is currently a free agent but at the age of 33, he would only present a short-term solution.
United are also keeping tabs on Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic.
Jovic has struggled at the Bernabeu since his £52.4m move from Eintracht Frankfurt last year and the reigning Spanish champions could be ready to cut ties with him.
Talks have been held with Barcelona over a move for Ousmane Dembele. He is a “strong alternative” to Sancho, having fallen out of the picture at the Camp Nou.
The final option is Watford’s Ismaila Sarr. The 22-year-old showed last season that he belongs in the Premier League, and Man United would have until the domestic deadline of October 16 to sign him.
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth told The Transfer Show: “It is thought United are working on at least four alternatives to Sancho. While Cavani and Jovic aren't seen as like-for-like replacements, I think Manchester United's priority is to strengthen the depth of that forward line.
"With Cavani, Man Utd would have to take into account his wages and his age - he's 33 years old - and also the length of the contract he would want at this stage of his career.
"As for Jovic, the Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane won't rule out a departure. There are reports coming from Italy that he's been offered to Roma.
"Then there is Sarr. If Manchester United fail to get Sancho, Cavani or Jovic, all is not lost because they can still buy Sarr until the domestic deadline on October 16 because Premier League clubs and EFL clubs can still do business after October 5 so they have another 11 days to maybe get a deal done.
"Manchester United's interest in Sarr can almost take a back seat, they can use it as a watching brief just now, unless someone else comes in for him, of course."