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Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho is the worst-kept secret of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have courted the Englishman for well over a year now and could finally land him this summer.
However, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are no closer to agreeing a transfer fee for Sancho, who is believed to have a price tag of £108 million. It has been reliably confirmed that the 20-year-old is keen on a move to Manchester United this summer and will not have a problem agreeing personal terms.
The Bundesliga outfit, meanwhile, are standing firm on the valuation of their prized asset and have thus far refused to budge. Sancho enjoyed a stunning season with the Dortmund and notched up a staggering tally of 17 goals and 16 assists in the 2019-20 Bundesliga season.
Manchester United still locked in talks with Dortmund for Sancho
While Manchester United intend to meet his transfer fee through a series of performance dependant clauses and add ons, they have so far been unable to work out a truce with Dortmund.
Sancho's deal is expected to break the British record fee by a considerably margin if the transfer goes through.
Nevertheless, Manchester United could start looking elsewhere in the coming weeks, as they begin to consider the possibility that a deal might not happen this summer.
Here are five players the Red Devils could turn to if they fail to get their record-breaking deal for Sancho over the line.
#5 Federico Chiesa | Fiorentina
Fiorentina's Federico Chiesa could be a fantastic alternative to Sancho for Manchester United. The Italian winger, much like the Dortmund man, is capable of scoring goals as well as creating them and enjoyed a stunning Serie A season with his boyhood club.
Primarily a right-winger, the 22-year-old can also deputize on the other flank if needed and has all the tools to succeed in the Premier League. Chiesa notched up 11 goals and nine assists for Fiorentina in the 2019-20 season and is all set to secure a big-money move away from the club this summer.
Juventus have also been linked with Italian winger and could be tempted to make a move for him, with the likes of Federico Bernadeschi and Douglas Costa underwhelming in recent months.
#4 Kingsley Coman | Bayern Munich
Another Bundesliga star who has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Kingsley Coman has been mentioned as one of the candidates being considered by the Red Devils if they fail to sign Sancho.
The Frenchman is outrageously gifted on the ball and comes with devastating pace to burn, with his ability to play on either flank also seen a massive plus point. Coman has featured 35 times for Bayern Munich this season and has so far recorded seven goals and assists apiece in all competitions.
However, the former Juventus winger's injury record could be a potential red flag for the Red Devils. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side can't possibly find an alternative to a player as supremely talented as Sancho, but Coman could be an intriguing solution if he is willing to overlook his wretched injury record.
Also Read: 10 most expensive transfers in Premier League history
#3 Memphis Depay | Lyon
Memphis Depay is a familiar name for the Old Trafford faithful and represents an out of the box solution for Manchester United if they fail to land Sancho. The Dutchman spent a season and a half at the Theatre of Dreams but failed to live up to the hype, as he was offloaded to Lyon in January 2017.
Since them, Memphis has kicked on and began to realize his true potential, having established himself as one of the most exciting players in Ligue 1. Blessed with incredible dribbling ability, the Dutchman also boasts a strong technique and is capable of winning games on his own with moments of magic.
In an injury-laden season for Lyon, Memphis has racked up 15 goals and two assists for the French side and is set to play a pivotal role for them in the Champions League.
Manchester United reportedly inserted a buyback clause when they sold him to Lyon and could look to trigger it if they are in desperate need of another attacker.
#2 Said Benrahma | Brentford
Said Benrahma is one of the most exciting players in the Championship and nearly spearheaded Brentford to the Premier League. However, the Bees were beaten in the playoff final by Fulham, as the Algerian winger enjoyed a bitter end to a highly successful league season.
Brentford are expected to see a bidding war for Benrahma in the coming days, as the 24-year-old proved time and again in the 2019-20 season and that he is far too good to be playing in the Championship.
With 17 goals and ten assists to his name, Benrahma could be an option for Manchester United if a deal for Sancho fails to materialize. The former Nice man is also a target for fellow Premier League side Chelsea, who are looking to bolster their squad further this summer.
#1 Ousmane Dembele | Barcelona
The mercurial Ousmane Dembele has endured yet another injury-hit season, as his Barcelona career continues to turn into a nightmare. Since arriving from Dortmund in the summer of 2017 as a replacement for the PSG bound Neymar, Dembele has struggled with a wide range of problems on and off the pitch.
However, Barcelona still hold him in high regard due to his outrageous natural ability and matchwinning capabilities. Dembele is amongst the most exciting players to watch when fully-fit and is capable of scoring goals as well as creating them.
Additionally, he is blessed with devastating pace and two-footed ability, making him one of the hardest attackers to defend against. The World Cup winner has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Arsenal as he looks to get his career back on track.
Manchester United could turn to the former Dortmund man as a short-term fix and could attempt to sign him on a loan deal if Sancho remains in the Bundesliga this summer.
Also Read: 5 best box-to-box midfielders in world football at the moment
