Man Utd open transfer talks with Douglas Costa as Jadon Sancho back-up option

Manchester United have reportedly entered discussions with the agents of Douglas Costa as they seek back-up options to Jadon Sancho.

The winger is surplus to requirements at Juventus where he has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the first team.

Juve are keen to offload the 29-year-old and a move to United could suit both parties if the Red Devils are unable to get the Sancho deal over the line.


United are still standing firm in their refusal to pay Borussia Dortmund's £108million asking price and their hopes of signing him have diminished after missing the August 10 deadline set by the German club.

According to respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, United have now turned their attentions to Costa as a potential alternative.


"Juventus want him to leave. His agents are moving to find a solution, they have talked to Manchester United, to understand if he would be interested," Di Marzio told  Sky Sports.

"They will think about it, but the problem is that Douglas Costa is often injured, so this is a problem for a club that wants to buy him.

"The agents have talked to Manchester United, for sure, and have proposed his transfer."

Costa made 29 appearances for the Old Lady last season, scoring three times.


The 29-year-old is by no means United's only option, but would represent a real coup if he was able to get anywhere near the form which made him standout at former club Bayern Munich.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remained tight-lipped when asked about Sancho on Sunday, stating that he would not comment on players from other clubs.


The Norwegian also added that United were looking to improve on their squad but were not necessarily aiming to recruit big names.

"It’s not about marquee, it’s about quality,’ Solskjaer said. "It’s about quality and the right personalities. We might look at it today and see where we need to improve it.

"I cannot say when or if transfers will be done but we are looking at it and we’ll have to sit down because it’s a quick turnaround.


"We’ve got to be 100 per cent sure when we make those deals. It’s going to be a strange summer. We’ve only got a couple weeks away from each other until we get going again."