Al Ettifaq 'set to launch 11th hour bid' to sign Jadon Sancho amid tension with Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag

Al Ettifaq are set to launch a bid to sign Jadon Sancho ahead of the Saudi Pro League transfer deadline, it has been claimed.

According to CBS journalist James Benge Al Ettifaq hope that a fresh start in the Saudi Pro League can tempt Sancho to depart Old Trafford on loan.

The two parties have allegedly opened discussions over a deal that would take the winger to Saudi Arabia for the remainder of the season.

Moreover, Al Ettifaq would be open to including a buy option in the deal. Yet, with the Saudi window closing in less than 12 hours, sources with knowledge of negotiations allegedly believe it is more likely that the clubs will agree on a straight loan deal.

It remains to be seen whether Sancho himself will be open to the transfer.

Al Ettifaq are managed by Steven Gerrard while their squad includes England midfielder Jordan Henderson, former Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, Scotland defender Jack Hendry and striker Moussa Dembele among its ranks.

Moreover, the Saudi club signed Everton winger Demarai Gray from Everton for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £8million on the Saudi Deadline Day.

On Sunday, Sancho and United manager Erik ten Hag's tension went public after the Dutchman claimed the former Borussia Dortmund star had been dropped for the Arsenal game because of poor training performances.

The 23-year-old did not travel to north London for Sunday's Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, with Ten Hag saying after the game the player had not been selected based "on his performances in training."

The United boss added: "You have to reach a level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices in the front line. So for this game he was not selected."

But, writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Sancho hit back, writing: "Please don't believe everything you read! I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week.

"I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won't go into, l've been a scapegoat for a long time which isn't fair! All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.

"I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and (am) grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.

"I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what!"