John Barnes doubts that Liverpool will challenge Man Utd for the signing of Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho despite increased speculation.
Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho was the Red Devils’ No.1 target this summer, but a long drawn out transfer fiasco ended with Man Utd refusing to muster the £108million that the Bundesliga club were asking for.
Their failure to sign Sancho has already led to speculation that Man Utd have missed the boat and could lose out on the England international to Liverpool.
FEATURE: One per Premier League club: Pecking order sliders…
On Wednesday, the Independent claimed that Liverpool and Bayern Munich are now considered ‘likelier destinations’ for Sancho.
The newspaper continued by saying Sancho has been ‘naturally impressed’ by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in previous talks and ‘some have felt Anfield has always been Sancho’s top choice’.
When quizzed on speculation Liverpool could beat Man Utd to Sancho, Barnes told BonusCodeBets: “I can’t see Sancho getting in ahead of Mane, Salah or [Roberto] Firmino, so for him to come he would have to fight for a place and not necessarily be in the team.
“I don’t think anyone from the front three will be replaced and seeing as they’ve just signed Jota and they have [Divock] Origi and [Xherdan] Shaqiri, it doesn’t make sense to get Sancho. I’d be very surprised if they get him.
“It’s good to get great players, but are Liverpool going to spend £100m on one player? I doubt it very much. I don’t think that’s one that will happen.”
On Liverpool’s summer transfer business, Barnes added: “It’s been as good as anybody else’s in these times.
“They’ve got two excellent players in Thiago and Jota, so rather than getting players just to make up numbers and be in the squad, Klopp’s got quality players that can come into the team without spending a huge amount of money.”