Arsenal can rub salt into Man Utd wounds with very sneaky £40m transfer move

Arsenal may look to capitalise on Jadon Sancho’s Manchester United situation this summer. The England star will reportedly leave Old Trafford and will have a host of European clubs lining up to seal a bargain transfer.

The 24-year-old appears set to depart regardless of Erik ten Hag’s future. The duo fell out last September after a public row that followed Sancho’s omission from the matchday squad for the 3-1 defeat by Arsenal.

Sancho was subsequently banished from the first-team squad and joined Borussia Dortmund in January. He excelled at his former club, helping them reach the Champions League final, although they were beaten by Real Madrid at Wembley.

Arsenal should now take a punt on Sancho over the coming months after a £40m price tag was reportedly placed on the winger. Mikel Arteta still needs to strengthen his forward line and although a new centre-forward is likely to be a priority, another wide man would also be beneficial to the Gunners squad.

Arteta rotated between Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in the final months of the Premier League campaign. An in-form Sancho would be an upgrade on both players, and at £40m he could be one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.

The excellent man-management skills of Arteta would help place Sancho on the right path and help the former Manchester City prospect flourish in the Premier League. Sancho showed glimpses of his enormous talent at United but struggled for consistency amid plenty of uncertainty at Old Trafford.

Hoping to rebuild his career, Sancho may choose to do so abroad, away from the limelight of these shores. A third spell at Dortmund is likely to be ruled out, with the Bundesliga club unlikely to afford United’s asking price. But there will be several interested parties elsewhere in Germany, Spain and Italy.

If Sancho does decide to remain in England, there could be few more enticing projects than at Arsenal. In north London, the 23-cap England winger would be competing for the Premier League title in a battle with Manchester City and Liverpool next season.

He could also leave Arsenal’s bitter rivals United red-faced if he excels at another top-flight club. There remains the prospect that the Red Devils live to regret allowing Sancho to leave this summer, particularly if Ten Hag is replaced over the coming weeks.

For now, Sancho will be left to ponder his next move. But there is a mutually beneficial move potentially awaiting him at Arsenal.