Man Utd identify Jadon Sancho and Antony replacement with price set for 'mandatory sale'

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Raphinha if they manage to offload Antony and Jadon Sancho over the next two-and-a-half weeks. The former Leeds United star is believed to be against leaving Barcelona, but the Catalan club are desperate to make a big-money sale before the deadline.

Barca need to balance the books after splashing £51million on Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo. The former RB Leipzig star cannot be registered until the La Liga giants resolve their financial issues.

With Ronald Araujo injured and Ansu Fati’s stock plummeting after an injury-hit few years, Raphinha has become one of Barcelona’s key saleable assets. And Olmo’s arrival, combined with the emergence of Lamine Yamal, would allow Hansi Flick’s squad to survive without the Brazilian winger.

According to Sport, United have joined Saudi Pro League clubs in the hunt for Raphinha. The report adds that a bid in excess of £51m would make a sale ‘mandatory’ in the eyes of Barcelona chiefs.

Raphinha has hit 20 goals in two seasons at La Blaugrana following a bright spell with Leeds in the Premier League. But competition for minutes out wide will be fierce in 2024/25, with Flick able to call on Olmo, Yamal, Vitor Roque, Ferran Torres and Fati as things stand.

A step up in United’s pursuit of Raphinha is likely to depend on the sales of Antony and Sancho. Both wingers have failed to find their best form in red, with £84m recruit Antony scoring just once in the Premier League last term, and £73m man Sancho falling out with Erik ten Hag and leaving on loan.

Sancho and Ten Hag have since made amends, but reports indicate that United would still be open to letting both of them go if respectable offers are made. Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo started on the flanks in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

Alejandro Garnacho, who continues to go from strength to strength, replaced Diallo in the second half and scored a brilliant goal. “He did very well,” said the Dutchman. “He came in and the plan went as we thought it should go. It’s only disappointing we couldn’t bring it over the line.”

Ten Hag added: “It’s always a lot working in the wide areas, pressing, compact pressing but also behind in attacking. We expect a lot of movement in behind and speed. We need fresh players but also players to start.”