It would appear that Manchester United's top signing for the next transfer window will be from within the Premier League as reports emerge that Jadon Sancho might not be available until next year. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been chasing Sancho for months but he is likely to train his focus on Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish.
Sancho will reportedly cost the Red Devils £100 million in transfer fee alone but Old Trafford has indicated willingness to pay the price. However, Solskjaer's dream of securing the 20-year-old's signature is unlikely to be realized soon, and for several reasons.
One is United must outbid rival likes Chelsea and Manchester City to win the nod of the Borussia Dortmund ace. And the Premier League sides have made clear their readiness to spend big on the sensational Bundesliga winger.
The biggest hurdle for United, however, is the possibility of the England international snubbing all offers for him to return home. According to Mirror, the signs are strong that the young forward could opt to stay one more season in Germany.
"At the moment we continue to assume that he will play and stay at Borussia Dortmund next season," the report quoted Dortmund exec Sebastian Kehl as saying.
If indeed Sancho will elect to continue with BVB for the next season's campaign, United can at least concentrate on completing the plan to hire Grealish from Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old caught the attention of Solskjaer for an impressive season with Villa, clearing the net nine times so far. Grealish is credited as well for his club's promotion to the Premier League last year but the side is on the brink of relegation anew.
Regardless of what will happen at the end of the campaign, Metro said the Villa skipper has made up his mind on seeking greener pasture and United will only be willing to welcome the upcoming England international.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is said ready to move in and close the deal on the targeted player, whom the Villa board has placed a value of £75 million. As Grealish fits the hiring requirements of young and homegrown talents set by Solskjaer, United should be ready to foot the bill.
Also, Woodward will give the recruit a substantial pay package of £150,000 per week, the report added.
However, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov warned that Grealish could prove a redundant signing for the Red Devils. The Bulgarian, who played at Old Trafford for four seasons, pointed out that the Villa captain's style of play is similar to that of United's Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
Berbatov said with Grealish on the roster, Solskjaer could find himself having to deal with a surplus of players with near-duplicate capabilities. He conceded though that the Villa man is an asset in terms of producing goals and making assists.
