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The shirt numbers available to Jadon Sancho at Manchester United

Amid growing speculation that Jadon Sancho could move to Manchester United this summer, Sports Mole looks at which shirt numbers he could take at Old Trafford.

The race to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund this summer is very much on, with a host of Europe's top clubs hopeful of enticing him away from the Westfalenstadion.

The 20-year-old has emerged as arguably the most coveted player in world football having scored 31 goals and created 42 in 90 first-team appearances for Dortmund, including 17 goals and 19 assists in just 35 outings this season.

While every big club wants Sancho in their squad, those who could actually afford him is a smaller group, with Dortmund likely to demand a fee of at least £100m and perhaps as much as £120m.

Manchester City, where he came through the ranks, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea have all been linked to the England international, but it is Manchester United who are thought to be leading the race as things stand.

Here, Sports Mole looks at which shirt numbers would be available to him if he did move to Old Trafford.



Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their third goal in January 2020© Reuters

Sancho's favoured shirt number is clear - the number seven he has worn throughout his prodigious Borussia Dortmund first-team career to date, and also his most recent international number.

The only hurdle to him being bestowed the same number at Old Trafford is Alexis Sanchez, who is currently on loan at Inter Milan and due to return to United at the end of the season as things stand.

It is fair to say that Sanchez has not done the famed seven justice since inheriting it from fellow United flop Memphis Depay, though, and with the Red Devils expected to try to offload the Chilean on a permanent basis this season, it should become available for Sancho.

Indeed, given the potential of Sancho and the lack of impact Sanchez has made so far, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could let the Englishman have his pick even if Sanchez does not leave the club.

England's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Kosovo on September 10, 2019© Reuters

It remains to be seen whether the shirt will weigh heavy on the England international's shoulders as it has done for its last three occupants in Sanchez, Depay and Angel Di Maria, but everything suggests that he could be the man to restore the number seven's reputation at Old Trafford.

Some of the club's greatest ever players have worn it, including George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, so there are some tough acts to follow.

Another option often associated with wingers is the number 11 shirt, which is currently vacant at United since Anthony Martial switched to number nine.

That also boasts some legendary names in its history, including arguably United's two greatest ever servants in Ryan Giggs and Sir Bobby Charlton.

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Barney Corkhill
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Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring their third goal in January 2020
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