As the January transfer window approaches, the rumour mill has already started to churn.
Life at Manchester United is never particularly calm with their season plunging to new depths on Tuesday as they crashed out of the Champions League after finishing bottom of Group A.
However, Mail Sport reported this week how despite their struggles, United are expecting a quiet period next month, although there is an acceptance at Old Trafford that Jadon Sancho has to move on.
It’s approaching four months since Sancho last played after falling out with Ten Hag, during which the £73million winger has been training and eating alone at Carrington.
Finding a new club won’t be easy but Mail Sport understands that meetings took place in Germany last Thursday between Borussia Dortmund and representatives of their winger Donyell Malen that may have ramifications for Sancho.
Man United’s season plunged to new depths after they went out of the Champions League
Although they are expecting a quiet January window, exiled star Jadon Sancho is set to leave
United have been linked with a swap between Sancho and Borussia Dortmund’s Donyell Malen
Malen has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in a swap that could see Sancho return to his old club, two-and-a-half years after leaving Dortmund. Juventus and Barcelona could also offer him an escape route from United.
Malen is a client of Sports Entertainment Group, run by Ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos, which has been involved in a number of transfers involving United players. The 24-year-old would also be a direct replacement for Sancho on the right wing.
It’s felt that the only way Sancho will stay at United is if Ten Hag is sacked as the Dutchman approaches a crucial run of games.
Even if Ten Hag survives, it remains to be seen what impact the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe would have on his future – and SEG’s influence at United – in the long run.
But, with a possible swap deal involving Sancho and 24-year-old Malen, Mail Sport takes a look at who the Dutch forward is.
Malen, who was born on January 19, 1999 in the north west of the Netherlands, joined Ajax as an eight-year-old.
He was highly-rated in the academy and began to attract interest from several top clubs across Europe.
Interestingly, Malen moved to Arsenal in 2015, with the forward explaining he wanted to join the Gunners due to his footballing heroes being club legends Dennis Bergkamp…