JADON SANCHO is ready to reject Manchester United if they fail to secure Champions League football.
Sancho is the prime target for United in the next transfer window but the huge uncertainty created by the coronavirus crisis means the Borussia Dortmund star has no need to hurry any decision.
Jadon Sancho is being chased by Manchester United but will not go to Old Trafford without Champions League footballCredit: EPA
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And sources indicate that playing in Europe’s biggest competition remains an important consideration for the England winger in choosing his next employers.
Prior to the coronavirus lockdown, reports claimed United were prepared to offer Sancho an astonishing £400,000-per-week deal to pick them over the other big clubs in the race to sign him.
But Liverpool, Chelsea and other suitors will have renewed hope that they can win the race once football’s future becomes clear.
Much will depend on if, when and how the outstanding issues from the current Premier League season are resolved – and the progress of Manchester City’s appeal against their two-season ban from European competition.
If City’s suspension is upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, even for a reduced period of one year, then fifth place, where United currently sit, would almost certainly be enough to qualify for the Champions League.
But should City succeed in avoiding a ban or at least postponing it, United would have work to do.
And if the season did resume, then Sheffield United, two points behind with a game in hand, Wolves and others might fancy their chances of overhauling United.
Chelsea are just three points ahead of United but their hold on a place in the top four or five looks a little more secure.
A Fifa task force is working on different scenarios for when the summer transfer window would re-open, depending on the progress of the coronavirus pandemic.
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But it is likely that no deals will take place until the major European leagues have either completed their seasons or reluctantly abandoned them.
If the Premier League season were declared void, then the Champions League slots would probably go to this season’s four participants. If City were excluded because of their ban, then Arsenal, who came fifth in 2017/18, would be in line to take their place.
If the current standings were declared final, United might well need to go to court to argue they should be put into the Champions League.
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Rio Ferdinand says Man Utd must seal £230m double transfer for Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
