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Jadon Sancho to Borussia Dortmund Vol.3: Why another return is perfect for Man Utd flop
Tom Weber
- Updated: 10 Mar 2026 15:41 GMT
- 5 min read
Analysis
Borussia Dortmund are once again considering re-signing Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho, and despite some understandable reservations, a third stint at the club may be exactly what the 25-year-old's career needs.
The former England international's career has fallen off a cliff since he departed the Black and Yellow in 2021. After a protracted saga, Sancho joined Man Utd for €85 million.
The tricky winger had been one of the standout performers in the Bundesliga for several years, but he failed to replicate that form at Old Trafford. After falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho was banished from Man Utd.
Current ETV
Jadon Sancho
M (RL), AM (L)
A. Villa
Jadon Sancho
M (RL), AM (L)
A. Villa
ETV Range
€16.7M - €20.4M
He has since had three loans away from the club, and he will finally leave for good as a free agent this summer. Man Utd have, unsurprisingly, opted not to exercise the one-year option in his lucrative contract.
Sancho has put in a few encouraging performances for Aston Villa since the turn of the year. This has prompted Unai Emery to suggest that his loan could be made permanent, but Sky Germany reports that Dortmund are also interested in re-signing the Englishman.
Sancho to Dortmund: An ostensibly strange move that might just work
The outlet reports that Sancho's name has yet again been discussed by club chiefs ahead of the summer window. Given that Sancho could be had on a Bosman, he would be affordable.
Moreover, the player is prepared to make significant salary concessions to once again play for the Bundesliga giants. He was already keen to rejoin Dortmund last summer, but the club decided not to pursue him again.
Sancho spent six months on loan at BVB in early 2024, helping the club reach the Champions League final. He showed flashes, but his performance levels weren't sustained enough to warrant a permanent move.
His career hasn't gone much differently since, with the winger only showing his eminent talent in spurts. Nevertheless, Dortmund are mulling over the feasibility of a third spell at the club.
There are some detractors, though. It is believed that Sancho would not be a cultural fit for the Niko Kovac regime. The Croatian values discipline and hard work above all else, and these are not necessarily the 25-year-old's strong points.
The often quite drab football Kovac plays is also not particularly conducive to getting the best out of creative wingers. However, data from analytics firm SciSports suggests that a second return to Dortmund might just work.
SciSports analyses various factors such as development potential, playing time prospects and stylistic fit to calculate a player's Club Fit score, and Dortmund rank exceptionally well for Sancho. With a rating of 83 out of 100, BVB are his joint-best fit, alongside Serie A giants AC Milan.
There is also a case to be made that a move would be sensible from a squad-building perspective. With Karim Adeyemi potentially leaving BVB this summer, a spot on the wing could be vacated.
While the club generally want to get back to the "Dortmund way" of signing high-potential youngsters to flip them for a profit, Sancho could be a smart replacement and also fill the leadership vacuum left behind by the departing Julian Brandt.
He may not be captain's material, but he knows the club inside out and would be a respected, senior figure in the dressing room. Indeed, Dortmund are understood to be targeting an experienced player to replace Brandt, and the player in question does not necessarily have to be a No.10.
They say to never go back to an ex, but in the case of Sancho, it might just be what his career needs.
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