Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq make last-gasp Jadon Sancho transfer bid after Man Utd outcast’s row with Erik Ten Hag
STEVEN GERRARD’S Al-Ettifaq are making a last-ditch attempt to sign Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
The English forward, 23, was left out of the Red Devils’ squad for their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
Manager Erik ten Hag later revealed this was due to his “performances in training”.
Sancho then hit back by claiming he had been made a “scapegoat”, denying the validity of Ten Hag‘s comments.
And now, with the transfer window closed in Europe, he could be set for a move to Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Pro League window shuts on Thursday.
But according to CBS Sports, Gerrard‘s side are attempting to steal him away in the final hours by proposing a loan deal.
Al-Ettifaq have already signed Jordan Henderson from Liverpool, Demarai Gray from Everton, Moussa Dembele from Lyon, Georginio Wijnaldum from PSG and Jack Hendry from Club Brugge.
But Sancho would perhaps be their biggest name yet.
The report states the club have opened talks over a deal that would see the Man Utd man join for the rest of the season.
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An option to buy would also be included within the deal, although a straight loan appears more likely given the minimal amount of time to get a move over the line.
Al=Ettifaq are not one of the four state-backed clubs in Saudi Arabia’s top tier.
But they have attracted some big names and claimed 10 points from their opening five games of the new season, leaving them fifth in the table.
Meanwhile, Sancho’s position at Man Utd reached boiling point over the weekend following a public spat with Ten Hag.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund man, who arrived at Old Trafford two years ago for £73million, had come off the bench in each of United’s opening three league matches.
But Ten Hag ousted him from the squad altogether for the trip to Arsenal.
When asked about the decision, he said: “We did not select Jadon because of his performances in training.
“You have to reach a certain level every day at Manchester United and we can make choices in the front line. So for this game he was not selected.”
In response, Sancho took to social media to say: “I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.
“I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.
“I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what.”
Sancho has contributed just 12 goals and six assists in 82 matches for Man Utd.
That’s a significant drop off from his time at Dortmund where he registered 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 games.
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