The Hard Tackle examines rumours suggesting a potential Donny van de Beek plus cash deal to sign Jadon Sancho and how the move could stack up for the two clubs.
Jadon Sancho’s failed move to Manchester United was one of the highlights of the last summer transfer window, as Borussia Dortmund famously managed to keep hold of their highly-rated winger by demanding an exorbitant asking price of €100 million even during the middle of a pandemic.
While there was hope for United that Dortmund might be forced to ease off such demands in light of Sancho’s dip in form, the attacker has rediscovered his groove since the turn of the year, becoming one of the best performing players not in the team but in the Bundesliga itself, along with the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland and Andre Silva.
An exclusive report from 90 Min, however, suggests that Manchester United have devised a plan to sign Sancho this summer, by offering Donny van de Beek as a potential makeweight.
The Dutchman has struggled with lack of game-time since his arrival at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils now reportedly ready to offload him in the summer, preferably as a makeweight in deals to sign their top transfer targets.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will take a closer look at how a potential van de Beek plus cash deal to sign Jadon Sancho could make sense for all parties involved, including Borussia Dortmund.
Is van de Beek’s sale a feasible one for Manchester United?
Donny van de Beek was brought in from Ajax for a fee of almost €40 million. While the midfielder was initially touted as an alternative for Paul Pogba, it soon became evident that he was only considered as a mere back-up for Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese international, in fact, has played a key role behind van de Beek’s demise, as indeed, his inspiring performances in the number ten role have helped Manchester United emerge as arguably the second-best team in England this season.
It has unfortunately left van de Beek out of the first-team picture, with the former Ajax star featuring in a little over 300 minutes of league football. His lack of game-time even drew in criticism from his agent earlier in the campaign, although that didn’t affect his role in the United team.
However, as the club begins its preparation for the new season, it appears a move away from Old Trafford would make sense for van de Beek. The Dutchman clearly doesn’t have any future in Manchester as long as Fernandes continues to dominate in the attacking midfield slot.
The 23-year-old could create a slight void in the midfield unit, but it is a one Manchester United are expected to fill without any hiccups. In fact, it could pave the way for Solskjaer to invest in less-established but cheaper alternatives while van de Beek can be used as an ideal makeweight to sign Jadon Sancho.
How Jadon Sancho could prove to be a smart piece of business
It is almost needless to make a case for Sancho to join Manchester United as the Borussia Dortmund winger is already considered as one of the best British attackers currently around, alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling.
From a sporting perspective, the Englishman should settle in effortlessly, as part of Solskjaer’s attacking unit where he will be partnered by the likes of Rashford, Fernandes and Anthony Martial, although the latter has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
While Rashford offers a more direct style of play, Sancho’s trickery and ability to often shift into a central role make him a much more versatile creative outlet. In addition, the 20-year-old is blessed with immense technical ability that should enable him to quickly build a formidable offensive partnership alongside his teammates in the final third.
Speaking of his teammates, Sancho and Rashford’s electric pace means the English attacking duo can be utilised as runners, which does bode well for Fernandes and Pogba, both of whom are equally capable of finding attacking players with their accurate lofted passes in behind the backline.
Are Borussia Dortmund likely to accept the deal?
Jadon Sancho’s future at Borussia Dortmund depends heavily on the club’s achievements during the remainder of the campaign. The Black and Yellows are still pretty much in the race to finish inside the top four in the Bundesliga while they are now being deemed as the favourites to clinch the DFB Pokal.
However, having kept hold of their star players last summer, one could expect Dortmund to offload at least one of either Sancho or Erling Haaland in the upcoming summer transfer window, with the former likely to be the main candidate.
There is a legitimate chance of the Englishman handing in a transfer request at Dortmund this summer following three successful seasons in the Bundesliga. In fact, the Bundesliga giants have already started searching for potential replacements, with Donyell Malen and even Barcelona target Memphis Depay being tipped as potential options.
However, it is important to consider the arrival of Marco Rose, whose vision and footballing philosophy could have a huge impact on Dortmund’s transfer policy in the summer.
The German tactician’s admiration for a creative midfielder like Florian Neuhaus is the worst kept secret in the Bundesliga. But, the Gladbach manager has vowed to not raid the Foals upon his arrival at Dortmund next season, which could force him to consider a move for van de Beek.
The Dutchman is quite similar in nature when compared to Neuhaus, although he does indeed like to operate in a more advanced role. It should make van de Beek an ideal cog in Rose’s preferred 4-3-1-2 setup, where the Man United star can sort of occupy the role of Lars Stindl while emerging as an ideal long-term replacement for Julian Brandt.
The German was linked with a move to Arsenal in January and his future at the club remains uncertain following poor performances this season.
Therefore, it is perhaps fair to assume that Borussia Dortmund have good reasons to accept any potential player plus cash deal from Manchester United that includes van de Beek, whose passion, talent and style of play should fit in nicely in North-Rhine Westphalia.