Manchester United have refused a specific request from Borussia Dortmund as part of negotiations over a loan move for Jadon Sancho, it has been reported.
Dortmund are in talks with United over a deal for the England winger, who made the reverse move to Old Trafford for £73 million in the summer of 2021.
Sancho failed to reach the heights expected of him in his first two seasons, though, and has spent the majority of this season out of action altogether after a public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag.
He has not played a match for United since August 26, and has been training away from the first team since the beginning of September.
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An exit from Old Trafford for the 23-year-old is now close - but negotiations did stall slightly over 'communication issues', according to Sky Sports Germany.
And another issue has been surrounding the inclusion of an option to buy clause, which Dortmund were keen to bring in as part of the loan move.
But it has been reported that United have refused that request entirely.
The Red Devils are said to be hoping that Sancho's market value increases as a result of his temporary spell at Signal Iduna Park, and are therefore unwilling to agree to a future fee clause at this stage.
And with INEOS set to take over footballing operations at Old Trafford following the ratification of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minority investment deal, United may even change their approach towards Sancho's long-term future by the time the summer transfer window opens.
As a result, Sancho is set to make his return to Dortmund on loan until the end of the season - with it seemingly being up to the German club to negotiate terms over a permanent deal at a later date if they wish to.
In the short term, though, Sancho will hope to recapture the form that prompted United to shell out £73 million to sign him under three years ago - and potentially put himself in contention for a spot in Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad as well.
Topics: Manchester United, Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund, Transfers
Ryan Smart