Hasenhuttl reveals failed move for Sancho while at Leipzig
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has revealed how he tried to sign Jadon Sancho while at RB Leipzig.
Hasenhuttl managed the German side between July 2016 and May 2018, leading them to second place in his first season in charge.
He stepped down after failing to agree on a new contract and went on to become Saints boss in December 2018.
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Sancho spent some of his formative years at Manchester City, alongside the likes of Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz.
However, he signalled his desire to leave the club in the summer of 2017 and was subsequently left out of their pre-season tour.
The talented winger went on join Borussia Dortmund for around £8million soon afterwards.
But Hasenhuttl has revealed that discussions took place with RB Leipzig before that move.
“I know Jadon very well, we were sitting one time at the table when he wanted to sign him for RB Leipzig,” Hasenhuttl told Sky Sports.
“We met each other in London to negotiate with him, but we hadn’t been big enough as a club for him.
“We were on the right players I think and definitely wanted to have him in Leipzig.
“He would’ve fitted perfectly in our very speed-oriented game. Finally he decided to go to Dortmund and it was little bit disappointing for us, but he shows his qualities.”
Sancho enjoyed a brilliant spell with Dortmund in the Bundesliga. He managed 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 games for the club, while also forming a deadly partnership with Erling Haaland.
The duo scored all four goals as Dortmund beat Leipzig 4-1 in last season’s DFB-Pokal final.
Sancho soon attracted the attention of Man Utd scouts and became linked with a move to Old Trafford.
That finally materialised on July 23 as the Red Devils paid £73m for his signature.
The 21-year-old made his debut for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in their 5-1 thrashing of Leeds United on the opening day.
He came on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes and was also left on the bench for their clash against Southampton on Sunday.
Hasenhuttl, meanwhile, will be hoping for a reaction from his team after their 3-1 defeat to Everton last time out.
