The Reason Why Manchester United Won't Sell Dan James To Fund Jadon Sancho Deal

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly ready to sell Dan James and use the money to sign Jadon Sancho, but Ed Woodward and the club won't sanction the move.

James signed from Swansea City last summer, after his move to Leeds United had collapsed the previous January, and had a good start to live at Old Trafford, scoring three times in his opening four games.

However his form fell away after that and he scored just one goal for the remainder of the season, in a 5-0 win against LASK, and was overtaken by Mason Greenwood in the peckin order for Solskjaer's team.

According to ESPN, the manager now wants to sell James, hoping to use the funds to close the gap between United's valuation of Sancho and Borussia Dortmund's.

However the report claims that Ed Woodward, and other senior figures at the club, won't sell James because they're worried it would show the club's inability to develop young players, if one is allowed to leave just a year after joining.

United don't have long to sign Sancho. Image: PA Images

If United did get the reported £25 million they're looking for, with Leeds still interested having had a loan offer rejected for the Welshman already, then they would make £7 million profit on the deal.

The Old Trafford side also already have Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Brandon Williams and Dean Henderson in their squad all proving how the club can develop young players.

James started the first game of the season, a loss to Crystal Palace, but the report also says the manager doesn't see him developing into a first team player.

Whilst it might be disappointing that the 22-year-old would be proven not to be a good signing last summer, it seems silly that United wouldn't sell him just to try and prove a point.

Selling James shouldn't be seen as United failing to develop talent. Image: PA Images

The chances of the 13 times Premier League winners signing Sancho are ever decreasing, with the transfer window closing at 11pm on Monday.

According to the latest reports, Dortmund won't even sell if United offer the original £108 million asking price that has been in place all summer.

The club are now trying to find an alternative to Sancho, with Ousmane Dembele chief amongst those.

Who will United sign before deadline day?

Topics: Football News, Dan James, Manchester United, Transfer stories, Transfer rumours, Premier League, Transfer gossip, Leeds United, Transfer news, Jadon Sancho, Bundesliga

Ryan Sidle

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