While in many transfers the player’s package is agreed more easily than the club-to-club deal, Sancho’s wage demands are a sticking point.
Collecting over £250,000 a week at Manchester United, he has shown little willingness to take a pay cut since becoming available again at the end of last season.
That stance has cooled interest from other clubs and now threatens to potentially derail Roma’s pursuit.
United are very eager to sell and Roma’s bid, which is thought to be just shy of £20m, should be welcomed at Old Trafford.
They are looking to move on unwanted players at a time when they are also trying to sign Brighton’s £100million-rated Carlos Baleba.
They have preferred not to sanction another loan - with Sancho’s contract winding down - and see a permanent deal as ideal.
But they have had to remain open-minded about how this opens up, and a loan with cash obligation offer is on the table.
Sancho, 25, also has had interest from Juventus and Dortmund.
Today is expected to be an important day in terms of talks about accelerating Sancho’s exit from Old Trafford, with Roma ready to hand him a five-year contract if he is willing to commit to a permanent move to Serie A.
United sources say the club have been concerned all summer that conversations between clubs and Sancho over personal terms would be difficult.
The player’s contract expires in Manchester next summer and in the back of his mind he knows that could open up new opportunities for him in 2026.
The huge wages Sancho earns now are going to be beyond Roma, so how they now attempt to find the breakthrough that seals the deal will be intriguing.
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