KEY POINTS

  • Jadon Sancho had been Man Utd's top target for over a year
  • Sancho has scored only eight goals in 2020-21
  • Man Utd are firmly chasing Sancho's teammate Haaland

Manchester United reportedly have ended their chase for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho ahead of the 2021 summer transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has drafted a new list of top targets, including Aston Villa wonderkid Carney Chukwuemeka, who is also being chased by their Premier League rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, soccer website teamtalk reported. Even though the teenage sensation is yet to make his senior debut, he has impressed quite a few European giants.

During the 2020 summer transfer market, it was believed that Manchester United made two bids for Sancho but Dortmund were firm about their demands of $144 million for the talented English midfielder. In the ongoing campaign, Sancho has also suffered a dip in form, where he has managed to score only eight goals in as many as 25 competitive appearances for the German club. While the 20-year-old Sancho has struggled to find the back of the post, he has set up 13 goals for his side this season.

It is understood that after failing to sign Erling Haaland last year, Manchester United want to remain persistent in their chase ahead of the upcoming summer, according to teamtalk's report. While Sancho may have lost his touch in 2020-21, Haaland has not slowed down as he has netted 22 goals and provided five assists in as many as 21 competitive matches for Dortmund.

Haaland, who is also wanted by Liverpool FC, won’t come for cheap as he has a massive exit clause in his Dortmund deal. Haaland is contracted with Dortmund until 2024, but his exit clause can be triggered before that, as per a special clause that was inserted in the deal by his star agent Mino Raiola.

Giovanni Reyna, Jadon Sancho and Julian Brandt during the Borussia Dortmund training.
Jadon Sancho (center) made his senior debut with Dortmund in 2017. Marco Verch on Flickr

The report has also revealed that Manchester United are also firmly chasing Seville defender Jules Kounde, who is contracted with the La Liga side until 2024 and has a release clause of $98 million. The 22-year-old moved from Bordeaux to Seville ahead of the 2019-20 season and since then, he has made 63 competitive appearances for them.

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