“In all fairness they did expect the Sancho deal to happen this summer, but the question now is – which way is it going to go?

“There’s a view that I’ve seen reflected in some of the media coverage that Dortmund are desperate for cash and will sell, and the prices will come down, and United will be in a position to swoop – but I’m not sure that’s 100 per cent accurate.

“There’s a bigger chance that Dortmund will say: ‘You know what, the market is depressed.’ If you have a lovely house to sell and you can’t sell it this summer, why would you?

“The only thing working in United’s favour is that his contract is running down and they could make the argument that… there’s a discount to be had.”