Manchester United's Jadon Sancho is reportedly on the brink of a sensational return to Borussia Dortmund, his former club. As the January transfer window unfolds, the talks between the two football giants are said to be advancing rapidly, with both parties keen on a deal that would see Sancho back in action in the Bundesliga.
Sancho, who has been sidelined and out of favor at Manchester United for over four months, is allegedly pushing for the move, eager to reignite his career. The 23-year-old's time at United has been fraught with tension, notably following a public spat with manager Erik ten Hag. After being excluded from the matchday squad and subsequently refusing to apologize for a social media post where he claimed to have been made a "scapegoat," Sancho was relegated to train away from the first team.
The potential loan deal, however, isn't straightforward. Discussions are focused on the loan fee Dortmund would pay and the portion of Sancho's hefty £300k-a-week wages that Manchester United would continue to cover. With United's recent agreement to pay a significant part of Donny van de Beek's salary in a similar loan arrangement, it's anticipated that they might bear two-thirds of Sancho's pay in this deal.
Fabrizio Romano, a well-known football journalist, has indicated that the deal is "more than concrete at this stage," with Dortmund working on a six-month contract for the winger and a €3.5 million loan fee reportedly heading back to Manchester United. While there is rumored interest from other clubs like West Ham, Sancho's desire to return to Dortmund, where he previously enjoyed a prolific spell, seems to be the driving force behind the negotiations.
During his earlier tenure at Dortmund, Sancho left an indelible mark, netting 50 goals and providing 64 assists in 137 appearances. His stellar performances saw his expected transfer value skyrocket to as high as €109m. However, his recent challenges have seen this value plummet, making a loan move an appealing option for all parties involved. For Manchester United, it's a chance to potentially rehabilitate the player's value and form ahead of the summer, where a more permanent decision on his future can be made.
While Manchester United grapples with a tumultuous 2023-24 campaign, sitting eighth in the Premier League and ousted from the UEFA Champions League, the prospect of offloading Sancho, even temporarily, might provide some relief and restructuring opportunity. As for Sancho, a return to Dortmund offers a chance for redemption and to remind the football world of the talent that once made him one of Europe's most sought-after young stars.
As fans and pundits alike await official confirmation, the anticipation builds for what could be one of the most significant moves of the winter transfer window, potentially reigniting the career of Jadon Sancho and altering the trajectories of two of Europe's footballing powerhouses.
