It’s not very often in the football world these days that a player swap deal is arranged.
Transfers have become so complicated, agents so greedy and powerful and balance sheets so tough to juggle that even where there is a will, it’s just not practical.
However, it is looking extremely likely that Manchester United are about to pull off such a deal, and one that will make perfect sense to the club, the players involved and fans alike.
Jadon Sancho for Douglas Luiz
Much has been reported recently of Juventus’ growing interest in United star Jadon Sancho, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea after an ugly and very public spat with the then manager, Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea loaned Sancho with an obligation to buy him at the end of the loan period, but chose to return him to Old Trafford, paying a £5 million penalty for doing so. This has left the 25 year old in search of a new club. There have been overtures from Saudi Arabia and Napoli, but it is the Old Lady of Turin that has captured his attention.
Juve turned to Sancho as a plan “B” for Francisco Conceição, who was a huge hit at the Allianz last season on loan from FC Porto. The Italians want the Portuguese to drop their €30 million asking price, but so far they have refused to budge.
Sancho’s name has therefore grown louder in the corridors of the Continassa and bigger in the headlines of the Italian media. Given his own €30 million price tag, various swap partners have been mooted, including Timothy Weah and Nico Gonzalez. But the one that has piqued United’s interest most has been that of former Aston Villa man, Douglas Luiz.
According to today’s edition of Corriere dello Sport (CDS), “Since the Red Devils are looking for a midfielder, yesterday the hypothesis of an equal exchange emerged: Jadon to Turin and Douglas Luiz, who at Juve was a ghost but in the Premier League still has many admirers, to Manchester.”
Given that the Old Lady bought Luiz for €51 million just 18 months ago, a straight swap would represent a win-win scenario for everyone, assuming the Brazilian is keen to join Amorim’s army.
The proposal seems to have come from the Italians, and the outlet says “United are thinking about it.”
Wage demands no longer a problem
One constant stumbling block for any Sancho transfer – and the reason Chelsea did not complete their deal – has been his wage demands. But CDS are confident that such is the player’s desire to join the Bianconeri that he has agreed to a figure within their salary structure.
The outlet reports that the “player seems to have only the Old Lady in mind, saying among other things that he is available to renegotiate the salary of 10 million net that the Red Devils would guarantee him until 2026.
“Unlike [Juventus striker Dusan] Vlahovic, with one year to go before the deadline, Sancho considers the possibility of earning less but starting a multi-year cycle in another top-tier club more attractive.”
All hinges on FC Porto – or does it?
This is a dream exchange that seems capable of happening very quickly were it not for the fact that Conceição is still considered plan A. However, the attraction of a zero-cost transaction could start to tip the balance in Sancho’s favour, and seems to be taking on a life of its own, even if Porto succumb to the Italians’ demands.
Indeed, it’s even possible that general manager Daniel Comolli will bring in both stars, especially given the zero cost involved in the Sancho deal.
Of course, it may be that Juve will need to raise funds for Chico by selling Luiz, with Crystal Palace mooted to be interested. But as Comolli has demonstrated by being prepared to sign Jonathan David without first selling Vlahovic, he has an eye for a good deal. And in this sense, Sancho would represent another big statement signing as the director wins over the demanding Turin fanbase in his first few weeks in role.
Featured image Simone Alveda via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
