Liverpool unlikely to enter bidding war for young England winger
Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to enter an auction for Borussia Dortmund wonder-kid Jadon Sancho next summer.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed in February earlier this year that he wanted to sign the player from Manchester City back in 2017, but a deal would have proved impossible.
“We are not blind – we saw him, we liked him, and then we think ‘Can we get him?’ No,” Klopp said.
“English clubs don’t sell to other English clubs.”
It is believed Liverpool retain an interest in the 19-year-old but, as per the club’s transfer policy in recent years, will only pay big money for a player who fully buys into the club’s project.
Dortmund stand to make a huge profit on a player they signed for only £8m, as it is believed it will cost around £100m to prise Sancho away from Germany.
It seems that Liverpool would want the England winger – who has already made eleven caps for his country – to make it clear that his heart is set on a move to Anfield, helping drive the price down for the current Premier League leaders.
This disciplined stance helped them eventually get their main target of a few years ago: Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch defender recently confirmed that he rejected offers from Manchester City and Chelsea as he always favoured a move to Liverpool.
But, in Sancho’s case, it could just as easily backfire and in turn benefit rivals Manchester United, who believe they are the front-runners for the player.
Ultimately, United have greater wealth and desperation for such a prodigious talent.
They also have no natural right-winger in the squad, with Daniel James, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford all preferring to play from the left or through the middle.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have one of the best right-sided forwards in the world in Mohamed Salah, who looks set to return from injury against Napoli in the Champions League tonight.
While Sancho would clearly improve their squad, it’s understandable why the club may have reservations regarding being drawn into an extortionate bidding war for a player who may not immediately improve their first XI.
There have also been question marks over the player’s discipline of late, which will be sure to concern Jurgen Klopp, with Sancho fined and dropped by Dortmund in October for returning late from international duty.
Earlier this month, he was subbed after just 38 minutes against Bayern Munich.
His club manager, Luciano Favre, revealed his player’s performance was “not good enough” and that he “still has a lot to learn.”
Sancho’s talent, however, is beyond doubt, with four goals and six assists in ten Bundesliga appearances this season an incredible return.
