Officials at Manchester United have what is described as a “growing belief” that a deal to sign Jadon Sancho will finally be agreed upon this summer.

The Red Devils have been chasing England winger Sancho for some time. They first registered their interest in the winger back in October 2018, in the days of Jose Mourinho. That interest reached a fever pitch in summer 2020. However, Borussia Dortmund’s refusal to sell for a penny less than their €120m (£106) valuation scuppered United’s plans.

That was a fee United were simply not prepared to meet, especially during the midst of a global financial crisis.

However, they have kept a watching brief on Sancho and now it seems their gamble is set to pay off.

That’s because, according to Eurosport, that the player’s value is now nearer the £50m marks than it is the £100m as such, it is stated that United are preparing an opening offer of around €75m (£64.6m) which they hope will set the ball rolling. While unlikely to be accepted by BVB, it’s believed that the fee will be enough to get the Bundesliga side around the negotiating table.

Furthermore, the article cites a gentleman’s agreement between Sancho and Dortmund that he can leave this summer. United may have seen efforts to sign him last summer fall short, However, it’s reported that they informed him he could leave should an acceptable offer be tabled in summer 2021.

What that final fee will be remains to be seen. However, director of football John Murtough will likely propose a strong base fee with a series of financial additions based on his success. To that end, it will be similar to the deal United reached with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes.

Furthermore, United also sees the renewal of Edinson Cavani’s deal at Old Trafford as key to making Sancho happen. Had El Matador left, United would have needed to spend the majority of their budget on a new No 9. Instead – and as Gary Neville alluded to – that money will instead be spent on Sancho.

Indeed, this will be the sixth transfer window that United have been linked with a move for Sancho.

However, amid a growing belief, it will be sixth time lucky, Sancho has recently addressed the speculation on his future.

Having won the DFB-Pokal this week, Sancho insists he is happy with the Bundesliga giants. To that end, he would seemingly have no issues at all at staying.

He told ESPN: “Will I leave the club? I don’t know about my future…

“I’m very happy here in Dortmund at the moment. I love the club, the fans and the team. They gave me my first professional start.

“The fans motivate and push me to the limit.”

The 21-year-old remains under contract with Dortmund until 2023.