After securing a spot for the Champions League next season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is moving quickly to another pressing task - the completion of the Manchester United rebuild this summer. Hot on the hiring list of the club boss are two England talents that he hopes will boost the Red Devils' upcoming campaign.
Solskjaer has Jack Grealish on the radar for months now and there are indications that the Aston Villa captain is keen on signing up with Old Trafford. However, the Norwegian has made clear that his priority target is Jadon Sancho - the Bundesliga sensation that elite clubs in Europe are pursuing too.
Goal said Solskjaer is looking to recruit players that will build up on his side's impressive showing in the just concluded Premier League. United finished at No. 3 and the manager is fully aware that with an assured Champions League slot, convincing top talents to link up with his squad will be a lot easier than before.
Apart from Grealish and Sancho, Solskjaer is hunting for one more striker, a center back, and a midfielder in the next transfer window. He said that things will get busy in the weeks to come and allowed: "It's going to be an important summer."
Along this line, the United board has reportedly given the go signal for Solskjaer to actively pursue Sancho, who impressed with 20 goals and 20 assists in the season. Borussia Dortmund will release the England international but for no less than £120 million, a price tag that the English side is unwilling to pay.
Instead, United will try to convince the Bundesliga club to sit down and consider the buyer's offer of £90 million outright payment for the 20-year-old star. Add-ons will be attached to the package that will increase the payment over the next few years.
Yet for the Sancho transfer deal to be completed, compromises have to be agreed upon. And first, BVB must agree that the winger will be a long-term investment and greater dividends are for collection soon.
Unfortunately though, the latest update from the German side indicated that the United offer is not enough. Metro said the club is holding out, seemingly convinced that the transaction will only be completed if United will pay Sancho's full valuation of around £110 million.
There is a piece of good news, however, as the same report suggested that preparations are underway for Dortmund to sign Sancho off to United. And the youngster, for his part, has already expressed willingness to campaign with the Red Devils next season.
It is expected that negotiations will continue on the Sancho transfer deal and an agreement (or its opposite) should be reached before the August 10 deadline set by the Bundesliga side.
