Report: United considering Dembele as Sancho alternative

Manchester United are still determined to sign Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho but, if they are unsuccessful in that pursuit, the club is discussing a possible swoop for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, sources told ESPN's James Olley.

On Monday, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said a summer move for Sancho was off the cards and that he expects to see the winger in Der BVB's team next season. Sancho is understood to be open to joining United, but the Red Devils are unwilling to meet Dortmund's €120-million valuation.

Dembele, 23, should be available at a lower price following an injury-ridden three years with Barcelona. The Frenchman hasn't featured in a competitive match since November and underwent hamstring surgery in February. Overall, the €105-million signing, who arrived from Dortmund in 2017, has started only 35 La Liga matches for the Blaugrana.

United have yet to submit an official approach for Dembele while they continue to try to reach an agreement with Dortmund over Sancho. However, they have informally discussed acquiring Barca's attacker on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy. Dembele would also need to be convinced to leave Barcelona, Olley notes.

Dembele isn't the only Sancho alternative that United are reportedly eyeing this summer. Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman has been subject to repeated visits from United's scouting team, and Douglas Costa - who started just seven Serie A matches for Juventus this season - is another player believed to be under consideration.