Man Utd eye Sporting winger as cheaper alternative to Sancho

Manchester United are considering a move for Sporting Lisbon star Pedro Gonçalves as the club look at cheaper alternatives to Jadon Sancho.

United had chased a deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho last summer as the club look to address what has been a problem position on the right-wing, though the Red Devils were unwilling to match the Bundesliga side’s British transfer-record valuation.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has discussed the club’s recruitment plans of late and insisted the ongoing pandemic will impact finances ahead of the summer, with United considering cheaper alternatives as they look for further creativity and goal threat.

According to the Telegraph, one player currently being monitored is Sporting Lisbon forward Gonçalves, who has enjoyed an excellent campaign for the unbeaten Portuguese league leaders as they close in on a first league title since 2001/02.

The 22-year-old has scored 15 league goals and provided three assists in just 21 league appearances, his form alerting Europe’s leading clubs given a release clause of £51.7m in his current contract.

The midfielder previously spent time in the Premier League with Wolves but made just one senior appearance before returning to Portugal, where he has since flourished during his debut campaign with Sporting, via a season spell at Famalicão.

Gonçalves has played predominantly in a central attacking role this season but is viewed as a player who could solve the Red Devils’ problem position out wide having played as a winger earlier in his career.

United are hopeful of signing a new winger, centre-back and defensive midfielder this summer, whilst the signing of a new centre-forward will also become a priority should Edinson Cavani not extend his contract beyond the end of the campaign.

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