The 25-year-old’s future at Manchester United looks bleak, and after Chelsea declined to make his loan stint permanent, a third spell with Dortmund could be on the horizon.
Dortmund have shown strong interest in re-signing Sancho, according to sources close to the club, as they monitor his situation closely. The German side are keen to reunite with the England international, who dazzled during his initial 2017-2021 stint, racking up 40 goals and 47 assists in 118 appearances.
His electric performances in Germany contrast sharply with his struggles at United, where he managed just 12 goals in 83 games since his 73 million euro transfer in 2021.
Chelsea’s decision to pay a 5 million pound penalty to avoid a 25 million pound permanent deal stemmed from their failure to agree personal terms with Sancho, who earns around 300,000 pounds a week. Despite scoring a crucial goal in their 4-1 Europa Conference League final win over Real Betis, Sancho’s inconsistent form, five goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances, didn’t convince the Blues to keep him.
He expressed gratitude to Chelsea, saying on social media, “Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home, teammates, staff, and fans. Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful, thank you Blues.”
Manchester United, under manager Ruben Amorim, have no plans to reintegrate Sancho. The Red Devils are desperate to offload him to fund their squad rebuild, with a permanent transfer their preference. However, his high wages pose a challenge, and another loan move remains an option.
United still owe Dortmund approximately 17 million pounds from the original transfer, adding urgency to their efforts to secure a deal.
Dortmund’s interest is partly driven by their potential need for a winger, with Chelsea reportedly targeting their star Jamie Gittens in a 50 million pound deal. If Gittens departs, Sancho could fill the void, marking a potential third chapter with the club where he shone brightest.
Other clubs, including West Ham, have shown tentative interest, but Sancho’s salary demands make a move tricky, with the Hammers reportedly rejecting an offer to sign him. Saudi Arabian clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr are also in the mix, where his wages wouldn’t be an issue, though it’s unclear if Sancho is keen on a Middle East move at this stage of his career.
Sancho’s camp has remained quiet since his Chelsea farewell, with no recent updates from the player, United, or Dortmund on X.
However, posts on X from Sky Sports News earlier this year highlighted Dortmund’s ongoing interest, noting in January 2024 that a loan deal was close, with Sancho undergoing a medical.
The winger’s potential return to Dortmund could be the spark he needs to reignite a career that once promised so much. For now, fans await the next move in this unfolding transfer saga.