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It would be difficult to find a more in-demand attacker in the world than Jadon Sancho. The young Englishman has lit up the Bundesliga this year with his scintillating displays for Borussia Dortmund. He is on the radar of most top clubs in the world, and if it wasn't for the COVID-19 pandemic, he could've perhaps already been at his new club.
However, as of now, Sancho still remains a Dortmund player with his future very much up in the air. The winger has been a subject of interest from several clubs after his astonishing figures — 17 goals and 16 assists — in the 2019/20 Bundesliga. He's been central to the Black and Yellows' goalscoring exploits. Dortmund's tally of 84 league goals in total is only bettered by Bayern Munich's 100.
With the transfer window fast approaching, the former Manchester City winger's future is set to become clear in the coming weeks. Until then, the speculation surrounding his potential transfer will continue to grow.
Here, we take a look at five realistic destinations for the young superstar should he leave Dortmund — and why it could prove to be an ideal move.
#5 Paris Saint-Germain
PSG superstar Neymar Jr's future has been a topic of speculation ever since he first kicked a football in Paris. The Brazilian completed a controversial move from Barcelona to Paris in a record-shattering €222m move. However, things haven't gone his way since as PSG have failed to reach a Champions League semi-final, let alone the grand spectacle.
There has been massive speculation regarding a potential return to the Nou Camp for a couple of years. This summer is no different as PSG and Barcelona have reportedly been in negotiations over a possible multi-player swap deal for Neymar.
Should Neymar leave the French capital, Jadon Sancho could be a readymade replacement for Neymar. Although the English winger still has a long way to go to enjoy the success that the Brazilian did, he could potentially get there in a few years. Sancho's playing style has drawn comparisons to that of Neymar's in the past.
Should Sancho move to Paris, he could also play alongside fellow attacking wonderkid Kylian Mbappe. PSG's wide-forward area would be set for the coming decade or so if this were to happen, with a devastating duo of Sancho and Mbappe on either side.
It is, perhaps, the unlikeliest move on this list, given that the 20-year-old is reportedly set on a move back to his homeland, England. Nonetheless, if Thomas Tuchel and co convince Sancho to move to PSG, it could be a spectacular move for both parties involved.
#4 Real Madrid
Few clubs in the world have seen as drastic a shift in transfer strategies as Real Madrid have. In the early 2000s, they were known to be on a quest to pick up the most exceptional talent available in the world for their 'Galactico' superteam. The likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, and other stellar names lined up next to each other in a star-studded team.
However, that is no longer the case, as Los Blancos have dedicated the last few years in snapping up the most promising young talent they find. They've already surpassed the €200m mark in their quest to recruit the most exciting youngsters in the world — and Jadon Sancho could fit right into this policy.
The winger turned 20 in March 2020 and is almost guaranteed to become a global football star, given his unbelievable talent and mentality. Sancho's abilities belie his age and would add a new dimension to Real Madrid's attack. The former City forward could work in tandem with a host of superstars such as Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid perenially challenge for trophies and silverware, and could provide Sancho a very realistic route to winning LaLiga Santander and the UCL. It could be a win-win for everyone involved. However, the Blancos' finances have been hit hard by COVID-19, and they might not be able to carry out this operation financially.
Also read: 5 Most valuable U-23 forwards in the world
#3 Liverpool
It would be challenging to think a pair of forwards who have been as prolific and decisive than Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. The two wingers have led Liverpool's charge from the front and have won the Premier League and the UCL within a year.
However, given the astonishing difference in quality between the pair and their deputies available, it could prove to be an issue for the Reds in the future. The overreliance on the two wingers could be concerning, should either one of them be unavailable via injury, needs rest or is on national duties.
Sancho could take the current Liverpool attack up by a notch. The Englishman has all the tools to fit right into Jurgen Klopp's well-documented approach to the game. He could, in theory, slot into their attack with ease and rip apart opposition defences.
This isn't to say that Sancho could move to Anfield to be a 'super-sub' for Mane or Salah. The 20-year-old is a versatile player who could play on either flank or as a more central player and could add an exciting profile to Liverpool's attack. His arrival could allow the Egyptian or the Senegalese to occupy a more central area to help score more goals. It could give them another alternative to Firmino, whose struggles in front of goal this year have been much-debated.
Sancho could be a stellar addition for the Reds if they can afford his services. However, if reports are to be believed, it could prove to be a difficult transfer to complete as they aren't willing to spend too much in the next window. On the other hand, game time could be a concern for Sancho.
#2 Chelsea
Chelsea have seen their own version of a youth revolution at Stamford Bridge in the 2019/20 campaign. There were questions about how the Blues could deal with the loss of Eden Hazard and Maurizio Sarri at the start of the season. However, new manager and the club's top's scorer, Frank Lampard, came in and changed the outlook of the former Premier League champions.
His project included primarily bringing in a host of young players who were tipped for first-team football. He blooded youth and used the squad available to him in an efficient manner. The likes of Reece James, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and others took well to first-team football and have had respectable seasons so far.
With this and Lampard's long-term project in mind, Sancho could be a superb addition to this young group of players. The Englishman reportedly has ties to players at the club from his days in the Premier League and could fancy a move to an exciting project.
His arrival, coupled with those of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and potentially Kai Havertz could perhaps certify Chelsea's attack as one of the best in the world, let alone England. Sancho's ability to play on either flank could bode well with the Blues as it would help them have a continually rotating frontline.
Despite Sancho's evident ability, it might appear to be unfeasible to recruit both Havertz and Sancho in the same window. Should they target Sancho alone, he could work in tandem with the quality attackers Chelsea have and could wreak havoc in his homeland.
#1 Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United are said to be the front-runners in the chase for Jadon Sancho this summer. The Norwegian has picked apart the squad that he inherited and has been insistent on a different brand of football — the 'United way' of playing the game.
His project took off to a shaky start but is now reaping the benefits of a fully-fit squad and a new recruit in Bruno Fernandes. Their loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final was their first in 19 games as they've closed the gap to the top four in the league. The likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and others have matured and look like different players in comparison to a year or two ago.
Sancho could directly solve their primary issue, which is the lack of a right-sided attacker. The likes of Dan James, Juan Mata, and Mason Greenwood have been used there this year, but none of them is a traditional right-sided wide player. Even if James is, there is a remarkable difference in the quality he brings to what Sancho does.
The former Man City man dovetailing with Rashford behind Martial would be a dream for the Red Devils. The fees being quoted for Sancho are astronomically high, being reportedly in the region of €100-120m. However, should they pull it off, it would be nothing short of the perfect signing for United.
His creativity on the right could change the very fabric of this roaring new-look United attack. Should Greenwood be preferred on the right, Sancho could even take up the left flank. The 20-year-old's arrival could ensure a fluid and pacey attack for the Red Devils and could help them challenge for honours aplenty.
Also read: 5 Players Manchester City should sign this summer
