Forward Jadon Sancho is expected to leave Manchester United before the end of the transfer window, but his next destination remains unknown.
The 25-year-old has turned down an initial offer from Italian side AS Roma, but they are not ready to give up on pursuing his signature.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma want to sign the English forward ‘at all costs’ and are ready to pay his €9 million (£7.8m at current rates) per season wages.
Gazzetta claims the Giallorossi have agreed to pay €19m (£16.5m) plus €5m (€4.4m) in bonuses for Sancho, but his agent’s commission – which has put off Atletico Madrid and Juventus – is proving to be a stumbling block in completing a deal.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are aiming to ‘complete a super-charged attacking trio’ of Sancho, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Fabio Silva and Leon Bailey, who have now joined them on loan from Aston Villa to boost their Champions League aspirations.
Besiktas are also keen on signing the United forward, but he is currently uninterested in a move to the Turkish side. They plan on signing him if he remains without a club after the transfer window in the elite European leagues closes on September 1.
Sancho appears to be holding out for a move to a side in the top five leagues in Europe, boosting his chances of playing for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup without sacrificing his financial demands.
However, the former Manchester City academy prospect and his agent may have to reduce their financial demands to make that possible. He risks playing in Turkey this season if they refuse to compromise.
United would like an outright sale but may sanction a loan deal plus an obligation to buy to free his wages from their books.