Manchester United Tries To Orchestrate Double Swoop Plans For 'Project No.7,' Erling Haaland

Manchester United is putting together a gallant effort to acquire the services of top target Jadon Sancho, codenamed “Project No. 7,” while also trying to re-negotiate for Erling Haaland’s transfer.

After failing to secure a massive transfer deal for the Borussia Dortmund star this past summer, United is not giving up on the idea of bringing the sensational midfielder to Old Trafford.

Despite the arrival of veteran striker Edinson Cavani, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward still wants to make a swoop for Sancho, a transfer plan they referred to as “Project No. 7,” The Athletic reported, citing unnamed sources.

It can be recalled that the Red Devils managed to agree on personal terms with the English winger after a long courtship in the recent transfer window. However, Dortmund’s staggering £108 million ($141 million) demand for Sancho’s signature was eventually deemed too risky for United.

But with “Project. No. 7,” Woodward and his officials appear to be ready to take another shot in the next transfer window, the report added.

Sancho’s teammate Haaland, who has also been generating buzz around Europe’s top five leagues, is also on United’s radar once again.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Haaland’s agent Mino Riola may have not ended their discussions over the forward’s possible move to the English Premier League. However, the head honcho is keen to start over again in the club’s pursuit of his fellow Norwegian, the Athletic noted.

Haaland currently has a £68 million ($87 million) release clause that will be activated in 2022. In simpler terms, United can make a move for Haaland after two years. But the report states that Solskjaer’s side is not ruling out the idea of bidding with a higher price if the Dortmund forward will prolong his fine form.

The 20-year-old has been exceptional for Dortmund and has already tallied a total of 23 goals in 26 games. Sancho, on the other hand, has bagged 3 goals already for the German side this season.

Should United really pushes through with a back-to-back swoop for both Sancho and Haaland, the English club must be willing to splurge a whopping £176 million ($229 million).

United has been eager to tap Sancho, and the club has not been shy about its willingness to make an investment.

The club’s interest in Sancho didn’t fade despite missing out on other top prospects last summer, something that former Liverpool star and veteran pundit Danny Murphy simply cannot understand.

“I didn’t understand the obsession with signing Jadon Sancho,” Murphy told the “Football Index” podcast. “He’s a wonderful player, but it looks like the deal was never really going to happen."