Jadon Sancho to Manchester United: Agreement in principle reached on five-year contract with England star to join Red Devils and break British transfer record

Jadon Sancho has reached an agreement in principle on a five-year contract with Manchester United as his £110million move to Old Trafford nears.

The Red Devils' lengthy chase for Sancho appears to finally be drawing to a close, with the deal - which will break the British transfer record - on the verge of completion.

United have been linked with a big-money move for the England and Borussia Dortmund forward over the past year.

There were fears a deal may not be able to go through this summer due to the financial fallout caused by coronavirus, but United appear to have worked out a structure for the transfer which suits the current climate.

Discussions with Sancho over personal terms have gone successfully with an agreement in principle reached on a five-year contract, and while the two clubs remain in negotiations, an agreement could be struck before the end of the week.

Dortmund have set an August 10 deadline for the transfer to be completed, as they wish to begin their preparations for the new season on that date and would prefer as little disruption as possible.

Last week, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc admitted he was hopeful that Sancho would stay in Germany for at least another year.

He said: "Jadon is an outstanding footballer with a quota that I have never seen at this age.

“I think it would even stand up to being one of the largest in the industry if you look at its age.

“I would be happy if he would still play with us this season. And that’s the current state of affairs.

“First of all we have to stick to the facts – and they are so, that we still have a contract with him until 2022.”

The £110m transfer fee, which is expected to be paid in instalments, will make Sancho the most expensive British player in football history.

That record is currently held by Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for £85m in 2013.

The switch will also set a new British transfer record, based on a fee paid by a British club, which is currently held by Man United for their 2016 signing of Paul Pogba for £89m.

While the fee is a large one, breaking the British transfer record for Sancho is worth it according to former Rangers striker and manager Ally McCoist.

"What a statement of intent from Man United," said Ally on Tuesday's talkSPORT Breakfast. "Their supporters will be absolutely delighted.

"Just think about the front players they'll have next year, with [Mason] Greenwood, [Marcus] Rashford and [Anthony] Martial!

"This Manchester United side are spending the money and splashing the cash, and fair play to them, I think it's an awful lot of money, but I have no doubts he'll light up Old Trafford."