Manchester United and Chelsea are the only two clubs who will be able to afford Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho this summer, according to Raphael Honigstein.
The respected German journalist was reacting to news that Sancho could well be sold for between €80m (£69m) and €90m (£78m), when he said:
“In my opinion, only two English clubs are eligible for a Sancho transfer: Chelsea and Manchester United. His ex-clubs Man City and Liverpool, on the other hand, are not.”
Supporters on Twitter poured cold water on Honigstein linking Chelsea with a move for Sancho, with many believing that the Blues won’t be in the market for another winger:
Chelsea have around 6 wingers already ?
— DanPT ? (@DanOHara_10) May 4, 2021
Chelsea won’t spend a lot on wingers so this is free run for us
— Zayn (@JS70Ni) May 4, 2021
Liverpool in the mud. Chelsea have about 100 wingers so we're deffo gonna get him.
— ????? (@mufc_champ_) May 4, 2021
They're putting Chelsea's name into the fray just to boslter their negotiation hand. Honigstein is close to german clubs so obviously he'll say this to put pressure on us. There's only one team in this and that's United.
— UtdDefence?? (@UtdDefence) May 4, 2021
Tho chelsea will begin now
— Shreyas? (@Shreyas_56) May 4, 2021
Man utd have the finances in place to sign him
— ejiro Efe (@ejiroEfe11) May 4, 2021
Chelsea are stacked. We move. ???
— Paul @StrettyNews #GlazersOut (@RowlesPaul) May 4, 2021
I highly doubt that Chelsea will go in for Sancho. They have Pulisic, CHO and Ziyech already plus mount who can also play on the wing. Also Tuchel's system is based on using the width of the pitch with his wing backs so won't suit his system either…?
Man United bound then ?
— ?™️ #GlazersOut ? (@UtdJadon_) May 4, 2021
Liverpool mudded
— Butler???? (@Butler622) May 4, 2021
If Utd want him they can get him. Chelsea will aim to sign no9 to score goals rather than another rw when they have pullisic cho ziyech
— Chirag Patel (@chiragcp1982) May 4, 2021
It does seem as though United remain in pole position for Sancho, and if the 21-year-old’s asking price has dropped as much as some claim, it would be a surprise if the Red Devils don’t go after the player.
There are still question marks over where a winger fits into the Manchester club’s transfer priorities. Signing a new number nine was thought to be at the top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wishlist but Sancho’s availability could change their plans.