Ronaldo, Dembele and Chelsea star emerge as Man United’s Sancho back-up targets

It seems that, for the second season in a row, the Manchester United and Jadon Sancho ordeal could be the transfer saga of the summer once again. 

The Red Devils were heavily linked with the former Manchester City man last year and, although a deal was reportedly on the cards, both sides refused to budge on their valuations of the England international.

Now, with the transfer window reopening once again, United are reportedly locked in talks with Borussia Dortmund over a potential deal.

The Bundesliga side are rumoured to have dropped their asking price for the 21-year-old, as he has entered into the final two years of his current contract, however any deal with United is unlikely to be agreed until he returns from international duty at the Euros.

It now appears that United are preparing alternative targets, in the event that they once again fail to complete a deal for Sancho.

According to The Daily Express, United have identified three potential targets that they could pursue if their interest in Sancho fails to materialise.

Former Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele are claimed to be all potential targets for the club.

The former, who scored 118 goals during a six-year spell with the club, is rumoured to be unhappy at Juventus after they failed to win Serie A for the first time in a decade.

It has been reported that Ronaldo’s representatives have already made contact with United over the prospect of a sensational return, however wage demands could prove decisive in a deal that would likely start shortly before the player turns 37.

Aside from Ronaldo, United are also reportedly keen on Barca’s Dembele. The former Dortmund man has just one year left on his current deal with the Catalan giants, and could therefore be allowed to leave on the cheap if he doesn’t sign an extension.

Ronaldo finished as Serie A top scorer this season despite Juventus finishing fourth.

Finally, United also apparently have an interest in Blues winger Hudson-Odoi.

The 20-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich during Maurizio Sarri’s time at the club, but was relied upon more heavily by Frank Lampard and has continued to be used, albeit to a lesser extent, during Thomas Tuchel’s reign.

Whilst it is unlikely that Chelsea would sell to such a fierce rival, the news that the Blues have made a bid for Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi could signal the end for Hudson-Odoi in West London, as Reece James and Cesar Azpilicueta are already both above him in the peaking order at right wing-back.

With the small matter of Euro 2020 just days away, it may be that attention is turned away from potential transfer dealings whilst the month-long tournament plays out.

With United so keen on Sancho, though, it will undoubtedly not be the end of that particular story.