Borussia Dortmund’s plans to re-sign Jadon Sancho this summer once he leaves Aston Villa is accelerating fast, and inside the club belief in the 26-year-old has shifted dramatically.
What once looked like a long-shot reunion full of doubts is now become a genuine possibility for the German side.
Sancho back on the radar
Ruhr Nachrichten cover Dortmund’s growing interest in signing Jadon Sancho for a third time today.
Reports over the last few months have seen Dortmund analysing a deal for their former player ahead of the summer. Sancho is set to be a free agent once his loan at Aston Villa ends. He’ll then return to Manchester United, where his contract is expiring and won’t be renewed.
Dortmund have slowly been talking themselves into an approach for the 26-year-old winger. In fact, sporting director Lars Ricken openly reignited the idea this week to SportBILD.
“We are currently looking at a lot of players and scrutinizing them,” he said.
“We are examining whether they can improve our team. We’re doing the same with Jadon.”
Why Dortmund’s stance on Sancho has changed
Ruhr Nachrichten report that Dortmund have followed Sancho ‘intensively’ for months while he’s been on loan at Aston Villa.
They know his contract with Manchester United expires this summer and that he’ll be available on a free transfer. Initially there were doubts, thanks to a disappointing loan at Chelsea last season and his inconsistent performances at Aston Villa.
But in recent weeks, something has changed. Dortmund scouts are now reporting sharper fitness levels, more confidence and joy on the pitch and a return of Sancho’s trademark creativity.
Inside the club, the mood has flipped. There’s been a ‘large-scale rethinking’ about Sancho and bringing him back.
The growing belief is that Sancho still has game-changing potential, which is exactly when Dortmund need. Even his modest goal numbers at Aston Villa don’t’ worry them. They see Sancho as a playmaker, not a scorer.
The financial reality
Under normal circumstances, Dortmund wouldn’t be able to afford a player of Jadon Sancho’s quality. But the situation this summer is different. There’s no transfer fee, a manageable salary of €6-7m and there’ll be a signing bonus rather than a massive fee.
For Dortmund, the cost-benefit ratio is unusually favourable. There are sticking points, though. Sancho has higher offers elsewhere and wants a long-term contract.
Dortmund are wary of the latter given his career trajectory. He’s hardly impressed at Manchester United, Chelsea or Aston Villa in recent years after all. For now, the upside still outweighs the gamble, but the German club know they need to be careful.
Right now, the feeling at the club appears to be that this is their best chance to bring Sancho back permanently. There’s a growing consensus that they don’t’ want to miss the opportunity.