As speculation over Jadon Sancho’s future gains momentum, Juventus have emerged as the most proactive contender for the Manchester United winger’s signature, with talks heating up despite strong interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Reports from Turkey rekindled links between Sancho and Fenerbahce, claiming that the 24-year-old could be tempted with a lucrative deal worth €10-12 million in wages, potentially post-tax. The proposed transfer fee is believed to be in the region of €18 million, an attractive figure for any club chasing Sancho’s services.
While these reports were quickly amplified across the English media, Italy has since become the centre of the transfer buzz. Juventus, who had previously monitored Sancho last summer, are now moving assertively, with their newly appointed sporting director Damien Comolli said to be aggressively pursuing the England international.
According to Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness, Juventus view Sancho as a high-priority target and are keen to strike a double blow in the market by also pursuing Lille striker Jonathan David. Sancho, however, remains the more immediate focus. The situation, though, is far from straightforward.
Manchester United prefer to offload Sancho permanently and are unlikely to entertain a temporary deal unless there’s a binding obligation to buy, particularly since the player’s contract expires next year. Juventus, on the other hand, are exploring creative formulas, hoping to structure a deal around a loan with either an option or a conditional obligation to purchase.
Another sticking point is Sancho’s salary. His wages at Manchester United are reportedly steep, and although Juventus are in direct contact with the player’s representatives, the financial framework of any move remains a hurdle.
The Italian Growth Decree, which had previously enabled significant tax relief for foreign arrivals, no longer applies to new transfers, reducing Juve’s room to manoeuvre. This is in contrast to Fenerbahce, who can still exploit Turkey’s more favourable tax laws, potentially giving them an economic edge.
Still, Juventus remain firmly in the race. Their interest, unlike in previous windows, appears to be matched by real intent and strategy. They are in “very hot” dialogue with Sancho’s camp and hope that Manchester United’s urgency to resolve the winger’s future will play into their hands.
Sancho’s next move may come down to structure over size, whether United accept Juventus’s model or prefers the cleaner financial package proposed by Fenerbahce. Either way, a resolution seems increasingly likely in the coming weeks.
