Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho, in a hotly anticipated transfer that reports emerging from both Germany and England indicate will cost the Red Devils just over £72 million.

United and Sancho are still to agree personal terms and a medical is yet to be performed, with the England international on duty at the European Championship.

However, the club expect Sancho to sign an agreement that will see the forward contracted the club until 2026.

  • A transfer a long time in the making

Sancho and Dortmund had a private agreement that would allow the forward to leave the club should a buyer meet the asking price set by Die Borussen.

The two sides were deadlocked in negotiations throughout the summer transfer window in 2020, with United unwilling to pay the reported asking price; around £102m.

However, Sancho’s contract at Signal Iduna Park is closer to its expiration than last year and the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has ensured that United and Dortmund could come to an agreement.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has long been an admirer of Sancho, having identified him as a primary target before last summer’s window.

  • What can United expect?

Sancho’s performances in the Bundesliga since his move to Germany in 2017 have excited supporters of most German clubs.

A record of 50 goals in 137 appearances saw him help the one-time UEFA Champions League winners to a German Cup last term.

He also completed the 2020-21 season in blistering form, registering 13 goals in his last 21 games.

He is yet to feature for Gareth Southgate’s side in any game-changing capacity, after amassing just one six-minute cameo in the three group-stage fixtures.

However, the forward is expected to contribute to the right-side of United’s multi-faceted attack, with last season seeing Solskjaer field a range of options such as Daniel James, Juan Mata and Mason Greenwood on the right-wing.

But the English forward will hope to bring a much-needed consistency to that area of the field, with Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Greenwood exciting supporters at the tail-end of last season.