Borussia Dortmund has not abandoned the possibility of re-signing Jadon Sancho, but internal doubts are reportedly increasing as the winger's search for a new club continues. Agreements in principle are said to exist with several clubs in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, while teams in Europe, including in Turkey, are also monitoring the situation.
Sancho joined Manchester United from Dortmund in 2021 for £73 million. His time at United soured following a public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag in August 2023, after which he did not play for the club again. He returned to Dortmund on loan in January 2024 and has since had loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, respectively, before becoming a free agent.
According to German publication BILD, Dortmund officials still hold Sancho in high regard, and a permanent return is not entirely off the table, particularly if a squad need arises and a financially viable deal can be struck by the end of the transfer window. However, the lack of concrete progress in securing a new club is fueling concerns within the Dortmund hierarchy.
Fitness and Past Performance
A particular point of concern for Dortmund is Sancho's fitness levels. The report notes that he has rarely performed at the highest level consistently over the past five years, suggesting it could take time for him to regain match sharpness. The club is continuing to monitor his development closely, recognizing that his most successful years were spent at Dortmund.
During his initial spell with the German club, Sancho, a former Manchester City academy player, scored 50 goals and provided 57 assists in 137 appearances. His loan return in 2024 saw him looking more comfortable, contributing to Dortmund's run to the Champions League final, although he did not consistently reach the heights of his first tenure.
Despite these contributions, a permanent move to Signal Iduna Park was deemed financially unlikely, leading to his return to England.
Current Training Regimen
As he considers his next career move, Sancho has been maintaining his fitness by training at Flixton FC, a non-league side in the 10th tier. His presence at the club's Valley Ground training facility led to a statement from Flixton FC clarifying that Sancho was not on trial and not involved in any transfer discussions.
The club stated that Sancho "simply used our facilities for a private training session to maintain his fitness while preparing for the next chapter of his career." Flixton FC expressed pride that their facilities were suitable for a player of Sancho's caliber and extended an open invitation for him to train there again.
