Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'handed boost in Jadon Sancho, Erling Braut Haaland pursuit'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 February 2021

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke suggests that the German club could be forced into selling the likes of Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland this summer.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has admitted that the German club could be forced into selling high-profile players during this summer's transfer window.

Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland continue to be linked with moves away from BVB, with Manchester United said to be keen to sign both players.

Dortmund are thought to have valued Sancho at £109m last summer, while Haaland's asking price could be in excess of £115m as a release clause in his contract does not come into play until the end of next season.

Watzke has admitted that he cannot "rule anything out" this summer due to the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has weakened the club's finances.

BVB are also facing the possibility of missing out on Champions League football for next season as they currently sit down in sixth position in the table, six points off the top four.

"In the midst of a pandemic, I no longer rule anything out," Watzke told Handelsblatt. "But it is not necessarily aspired to. Above all, there is the financial balance: that we have a strong team on the field and are economically stable at the same time.

"Asking banks for credit lines at the drop of a hat just to avoid selling a player will not be our way."

Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City are also said to be keen on signing Haaland, who has scored 27 goals in 25 appearances at club level during the 2020-21 campaign.