Jadon Sancho has been told that a third return home may only be possible if ex-teammate Karim Adeyemi leaves Borussia Dortmund.
Sancho has made just one Premier League start since joining Aston Villa on loan in September, failing to register a goal or an assist.
Jadon Sancho in action for Aston Villa away at Arsenal
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Sancho's first Premier League start this season came at Arsenal on December 30Credit: Getty
talkSPORT revealed last month that Manchester United are resigned to allowing the England international leave for free next summer.
Sancho has not played a league game for the Red Devils since August 2023, following a public spat with former manager Erik ten Hag.
The club have the option to extend his Old Trafford contract, which expires next summer, by a further year to protect his transfer value.
However, talkSPORT has been told United are leaning towards cutting their losses to avoid paying Sancho's wages for another 12 months.
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His Villa struggles have sparked fresh speculation that a third move to Dortmund could be on the cards to revitalise his career.
Gabby Agbonlahor sends warning to Sancho ahead of huge season for Aston Villa
Sancho back to Dortmund again
European football broadcaster Andy Brassell explained to talkSPORT.com: "There's no doubt about it.
"Borussia Dortmund is home for Jadon Sancho in football terms. He is a fit there, unlike he's a fit anywhere else.
"He's been able to get his level up higher there than he's got anywhere else.
"I think the fact that he feels like he belongs there, and he feels like he gets a bit more love and understanding there than he does elsewhere.
"Again, it feels like that's what he needs at the moment."
Jadon Sancho's Premier League stats so far for Aston Villa
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Sancho has struggled for form during his loan spell at Villa Park
"I guess we look at Sancho through the prism of what happened at United and other bits in his career," Brassell continued.
"Really, we could look at him in the same way that people are looking at Harvey Elliott. A good player who can't get in the XI at Villa because they're really good at the moment.
"Why would you put Elliott or Sancho ahead of any of those other players that are playing at the moment? Because the 14-15 that they're playing with at the moment are doing amazing things.
"So, I don't really think that what's not happening for Sancho at Villa at the moment should be seen as his fault, particularly."
Kar holds they keys
Sancho retains admirers in the Dortmund hierarchy, but much will depend on the future of long-standing United target Adeyemi.
Sancho during his loan spell back at Borussia Dortmund
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Sancho enjoyed a strong loan spell back at Dortmund in the second half of the 2023/24 seasonCredit: Getty
Jadon Sancho reacts after Dortmund's Champions League final defeat
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The winger played in the Champions League final defeat against Real MadridCredit: Getty
According to The Mirror,United are among the many sides monitoring his situation, but Adeyemi favours a switch to Arsenal.
Brassell added: "The Sancho-Dortmund question is a difficult one. Because if they were to be more formally offered him in a sense that United and Villa were happy to do the deal, and Dortmund were really keen to come to the table.
"Dortmund, there are a lot of people on the board there and in the dressing room who have got a lot of support for him, and immediately. I think that is a huge plus for him.
"Now, I think there has to be a question from Dortmund's perspective. It's a big investment. Is it really what we need at the moment? Where's the fit?
"So, the last loan was an opportunity loan, really. They were getting him for a short period of time.
"They weren't paying an enormous amount for the deal. It felt like a deal that just fell in their lap and worked for the short term.
Karim Adeyemi in action against Borussia Monchengladbach
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Adeyemi has become embroiled in controversy on-and-off the pitch this seasonCredit: Getty
"But if they were going to take him back again, there would be a sense that they're responsible for his redevelopment.
"And they're more than aware of what he can do, now, I think there are a couple of things connected to this. There are doubts over the futures of a few Dortmund players at the moment. One of whom is Karim Adeyemi, who is out of contract in 2027.
"Talking of split opinions over Sancho, there's quite a split opinion over Adeyemi about whether they're going to keep him; it's going to cost them quite a lot of money. They're going to have to probably double his current salary. They might have to wear a release clause.
"And Dortmund don't like to have release clauses in contracts, ever since the Mario Gotze one kind of blew up in their faces.
"So I think that there is a possibility that they will decide, right, enough is enough.
"There are a lot of people at the club who think they could do with cashing in on Adeyemi while his reputation is still reasonably high.
Sancho ina ction during Chelsea's Conference League final against Real Betis
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Sancho scored in Chelsea's Conference League final win over Real Betis last termCredit: Getty
"Now, if they were to do that, then a medium-term move for Sancho would make more sense, I think, because I think to have them both in there, it seems like they're quite expensive.
"Whereas, obviously, Adeyemi is a little bit different because he's played as a central striker as well.
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"But if you're looking for that sort of X-factor attacking player, and they're not going to continue with Adeyemi, because as we said, to extend his contract would be a really big investment.
"If they can get the money for him, I think the gamble, and it would be a gamble, in bringing Sancho back is a balance we'll want."