Carragher warns Woodward and Man Utd they risk losing Sancho to Liverpool

Kop legend Jamie Carragher has warned Manchester United that they better pay Jadon Sancho’s £108million price tag this summer… ­or Liverpool will fight them for the England star next year.

Carragher believes only the financial ­ramifications of the pandemic have ­prevented Jurgen Klopp from trying to hijack United’s bid for the Borussia Dortmund winger already.

And he feels United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is stalling on making a British record bid for the 20-year-old after wasting fortunes on failed signings like Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria and Romelu Lukaku.

But Carragher has told Woodward to seal a deal for Sancho NOW – or battle Anfield for his signature.

Carragher said: “United have got a clear run at Sancho now – but that will change if he’s still at Dortmund next year. I’d be very surprised if Liverpool didn’t try to sign him next summer.

“That’s why I think United will pay what they have got to pay.

“When United have paid big fees for players in the past we’ve all laughed and said, ‘they’ve been done again’. People called Woodward a joke – selling clubs could always get an extra £10m or £20m from him.

“Now Borussia Dortmund have asked £108m for Sancho. And because United haven’t paid it straight away everyone is criticising them.

“Woodward is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.”

Carragher has tipped champions Liverpool to be fighting it out with Manchester City again at the top of the Premier League this season.

But he added: “I don’t think that ­ Manchester United are as far away as people think. One or two more signings could make that difference.

“For me, signing Bruno Fernandes in January completely changed the club. He came in and suddenly United were a completely different team. That’s how close it is. It could be that Sancho comes in and suddenly United are challenging for the title.

“But unless United get a couple more in then I can’t see how they will challenge yet. You need 95 points now – and I think only City and Liverpool can get that.”

And Carragher believes Liverpool are still in the driving seat to sign Bayern Munich’s midfielder Thiago Alcantara, 29, who has been in outstanding form for the Champions League winners.

Carragher argued: “The only worry that might put ­Liverpool off is Thiago’s age – but I think the signing will still happen. Liverpool have a few players in the squad around 28 or 29 and that’s why the deal will have to be on their terms – maybe nearer £20m.

“What Thiago does is add something different to what Liverpool have in midfield.

“The midfielders all do a brilliant job but are quite similar. It would be nice to have someone who can control the game more. It would be nice if they had a bit extra technically.

“I think a move will probably happen ­towards the end of the window.”

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