Clubs from Italy, Germany and Turkey have reportedly joined the race for Jadon Sancho, with the attacker widely expected to leave Manchester United at the start of 2024.
The 23-year-old last featured for the Red Devils against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford at the end of August, coming off the bench in what proved to be a 3-2 home win.
Man United head coach Erik ten Hag said that he left Sancho out of the Arsenal contest at the beginning of September due to some poor training-ground performances, but the forward insisted that was not the case, claiming that he made been made "a scapegoat" in a post on social media.
The forward has been removed from the first-team picture at the club, and Ten Hag said that the situation was unchanged during his press conference on Friday afternoon.
Sancho will therefore again be absent against Sheffield United on Saturday, and it appears that he will leave Old Trafford when the January transfer window opens for business.
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Borussia Dortmund have been linked with a loan move for their former player, while Juventus and Barcelona are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
An apology has allegedly been required from Sancho for the forward to have any chance of returning to the first-team fold under Ten Hag's management.
However, there have been claims that a sorry from the Englishman at this stage would be insincere in the eyes of the head coach, suggesting that there is no way back.
According to Sky Sports News, the relationship between the two at this stage is viewed as 'irreparable', with Sancho effectively branding Ten Hag a liar in his comments on social media.
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The report claims that a 'handful of teams' have held internal talks over a possible move for the ex-Manchester City youngster during the January transfer window.
Various teams from Serie A, the Bundesliga and Turkey's Super Lig are believed to be discussing taking Sancho on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.
A permanent exit in January is believed to be unlikely, as the forward has another three years left to run on his contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12 months.
A loan departure is therefore seen as the most likely outcome, but even a strong second half of the season elsewhere is unlikely to put Sancho in the thoughts of England boss Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024.
The forward has largely struggled to make his mark for Man United since arriving from Dortmund in July 2021, only managing 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances in all competitions.
Matt Law
