Manchester United In Dilemma As Jadon Sancho Demands Iconic Shirt Number Ahead Of Transfer

Jadon Sancho has demanded the iconic No. 7 jersey ahead of his move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United this summer.

The No. 7 shirt is currently worn by Uruguayan star Edinson Cavani, who signed a new one-year deal towards the end of last season. The club, however, has not taken a decision yet on Sancho's demand, reported The Guardian.

Cavani netted 17 goals and six assists for Manchester United in the 2020-21 campaign, scoring at a strike rate of around 129 minutes for each, the Red Devils’ best by some margin. While manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might not agree to Sancho’s demand of the No. 7 jersey, the young midfielder could still get it if Cavani decides to give up the number for a new teammate.

Sancho, who had been Solskjaer's top target for over a year now, is finally set to join the Red Devils in the ongoing summer market. Manchester United and Dortmund have finally reached a deal worth approximately $101 million, while the Old Trafford side had already agreed to Sancho’s personal terms and agent fees, according to Sky Sports.

When the 2021 summer transfer window kickstarted earlier this year, Sancho’s asking price was over $107 million. The current deal’s value is also almost $48 million less than what Dortmund were demanding last summer.

Sancho’s move to Old Trafford is still subjective to passing a medical. The 21-year-old ringer winger is currently on national duty with England at the Euros 2020. He has been an unused substitute for England and played only for six minutes so far.

Sancho, who moved from Manchester City to Dortmund’s youth set up in 2017, made his senior debut with the Bundesliga side the same year. Having played four seasons with the Signal Iduna Park side, Sancho has scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 matches, across all competitions.

It is understood that apart from Sancho, Solskjaer is aiming to sign a defensive midfielder, a center-back, and a striker. West Ham’s Declan Rice, Villarreal’s Paul Torres and Tottenham’s Harry Kane are believed to be Solskjaer’s top targets.