Manchester United’s transfer pursuit of Jadon Sancho has inadvertently sparked a war of words between Dortmund and Bayern Munich club chiefs.
The Red Devils are expected to snap up the England international this month, and are preparing to shell out a small fortune for him.
The two clubs are still thrashing out the finer details, with United keen to pay a lot less than Dortmund’s £105million asking price.
The transfer has captured the attention of the footballing world, including that of Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness, who recently felt compelled to stick his oar in.
Taking a swipe at Dortmund’s buy low, sell high business model, he said: “How is a player supposed to soak up a club’s DNA 100 per cent when he feels he is a sales item?
Dortmund opted against responding to the comments at first, but have since hit back.
BVB sporting director Michael Zorc said: “I find the statements pretty arrogant,” adding, it’s easier for Bayern with “€250million more in your pocket every year.”
CEO Hans-Joakim Watzke also hit out at Hoeness.
Watzke said: “Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I have been trying for years to ensure that the largest German clubs maintain a respectful relationship with one another. I think it’s a shame that people try to do this at regular intervals to infiltrate.”