But we don't "need" him. Greenwood has emerged as a top star for a right wing position and we can do with a natural right winger to give him competition. We are only moving for Sancho with this level because he's a generational talent. We need a pacey center back, some midfield cover and sure a natural right winger. But it doesn't "need" to be Sancho, because we have creativity and finishing all over the park now.
I think a revision to £120m is still toppy for a player entering a final year of contract in covid, who evidently wants out and has been dropped a few times because his head isn't with the club.
As talented as Greenwood is, there's a chasm between he and Sancho at RWF/RW, particularly to do with build-up and involvement over two halves of football. Sancho is a conduit and a dependable hub from which others in the attack can plan their next action so assured with both his ability to hold the ball, as well as play them in, as they are.
Greenwood is still a moments player who finds it difficult to remain involved for concerted periods of time - the opposite of what Sancho provides an attack and a game in terms of load-bearing responsibility. This is something our side badly needs if we're going to take ourselves up to title or CL contenders. I think out creativity is good now, but will be excellent with Sancho in the team, so there is a massive leap there as well.
This is no mark against Greenwood as he is a youngster learning his craft in a position that isn't actually his own; more particularly, we're talking about a player out at RWF who is keeping company with the rung below Messi: Salah, Mbappe as comfortably one of the best in the world in the position to date. We have absolutely every need for him, not only in breaking down stubborn defenses, but also pre-occupying top ones as well who will have to have strong tactical plans in place to contain Sancho that don't have to be enacted against Greenwood, as of yet.
I believe the premium that comes with this kind of talent is what we'll have to pay, even if we're the only suitor - and we've form for that (Spurs) . If it's down to months of wrangling or sorting things out expeditiously, in light of what a clusterfeck next season could be, I don't see us quibbling.
What I do think happens from there is us being more likely to haggle on other targets and make up some of the difference there, though.
