Both Juventus and Napoli have shown serious interest in Manchester United’s exiled Jadon Sancho for over a month.
A few weeks ago it appeared that the 25-year-old would be reunited with his former United team-mate Scott McTominay at Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
His steep salary demands and a transfer fee of €28.9 million (US$33.7m) eventually stopped Napoli from further pursuing Sancho at those prices.
This paved the way for Juventus to potentially acquire the England international, with the club edging closer to a deal.
Conceicao adds twist
Despite relentless reports in England that an initial agreement has been made between Juve and United, any deal could be put on hold if the Bianconeri can land Francisco Conceicao instead.
Conceicao arrived on a season-long loan from FC Porto under Thiago Motta and excelled, only to fall down the pecking order when Igor Tudor took over the reins. His days seemed numbered in May.
Yet the Portuguese star got his chance to impress Tudor when the squad was depleted, and shone in both Serie A and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Juve are desperately trying to tempt the 22-year-old back to Turin, but on a permanent basis, which could scupper the potential signing of Sancho.
Push from Comolli
Yet Juve general manager Damien Comolli is reportedly pushing to finalize an agreement to secure the signature of Sancho. A transfer fee and a massive wage cut need to be ironed out before the winger can be unveiled by the Turin titans.
The 25-year-old has been at United for four years, but his last appearance was in August’s FA Community Shield against Manchester City.
He was shipped out on a season-long loan to Chelsea last term, and it appeared that he would move to the cash-rich club on a permanent basis.
A Chelsea reject
Despite scoring in the Conference League final win against Real Betis, which helped to highlight his value to Chelsea, when it came to negotiations the deal collapsed because personal terms could not be agreed.
Chelsea paid a hefty €5.8m (US$6.7m) penalty to avoid their obligation to sign Sancho permanently, and dispatched him back to United.
There were a plethora of clubs highly interested in Sancho, who can play on either wing, but the overall cost to acquire him was an obstacle. Although Napoli are still monitoring his availability.
Only Juve appear to be ready to splash the cash. Various Italian media outlets are reporting that the Bianconeri are in advanced discussions and have tabled a four-year deal.
Dramatic pay cut
A €25m (US$29.2m) transfer fee has been rumored, earning €7m (US$8.2m) annual wages that are less than half his United salary.
United, who are having a summer clear-out following their disastrous campaign, would take a massive hit having forked out €84.4m (US$98.6m) to sign Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021.
A Juventus deal for Sancho is not quite over the line, with United in negotiations with the player over a hefty severance package that lessens the blow for a much-reduced salary in Serie A.