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Double trick up Man Utd sleeves as imminent signing could end Liverpool hopes of landing forward

Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho could have a knock-on effect of Liverpool’s hopes of signing one of their targets, according to reports in Germany.

Sancho is United’s top target for the summer transfer window, just as he was last year. But whereas they failed to meet Dortmund’s asking price last summer, there is much more optimism this time. Some sources have even predicted that a deal could be completed before the end of Euro 2020.

Dortmund have dropped their demands from the previous summer, but there has still been distance between their requests and United’s offers.

That gap has been closing all the time and the latest reports expect United to sign Sancho for £75m plus £5m in add-ons.

Personal terms will not be a problem for the England winger, who will sign a five-year contract.

As and when the deal goes through, Dortmund will have to find a replacement for one of their key players. Sancho has shone over the past four years for them, so will be a tough act to follow.

But they have reportedly identified a Liverpool target as the man who can fill his shoes.

According to Sky in Germany, Dortmund will look to sign PSV forward Donyell Malen as a replacement for Sancho.

Malen has been linked with Liverpool in recent months. In fact, there were claims earlier this week that they have opened talks for the former Arsenal youth player.

The 22-year-old has a reasonable price tag of around €30m and his versatility could be a good fit for Jurgen Klopp’s attack. Liverpool are looking for more competition for Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane after Diogo Jota made a good impact last year as well.

Since his first-team debut for PSV in 2018, Malen has scored 55 goals in 116 games, also providing 24 assists. He is currently on duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2020.

After that tournament ends, he could be the subject of a tug of war between Dortmund and Liverpool. It would seem that, if they lose Sancho as expected, the Bundesliga side’s need will be more urgent.

Therefore, Dortmund are ready to reinvest a smaller portion of the windfall from selling Sancho into buying Malen.

If Liverpool want to get their hands on the PSV man, they might have to act fast. But even so, Sky claim ex-Dortmund man Mario Gotze, currently Malen’s teammate in the Eredivisie, could convince the Dutchman to choose the German club instead.

Sancho signing to send Man Utd man away

More directly, Sancho’s potential arrival could have an impact on a current Manchester United forward.

Sancho will be expected to hit the ground running at United and go straight into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first XI.

That may well mean exits for one or two players with ESPN reporting that striker Anthony Martial and attacking midfielder Donny van de Beek could be the most high-profile victims of the revamp.

France international Martial dropped off again this season after enjoying a strong 2019/20 campaign.

The Daily Mirror reports that “Martial is expected to be sold to make way for Sancho”.

Tottenham are named as the “interested” suitors in the striker, who failed to make the France squad for Euro 2020.

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