Report: Man Utd prepared to sell key attacker as Dortmund circle again | OneFootball

Dortmund plot Sancho return as Man Utd revamp attack

Borussia Dortmund have set their sights on a familiar face as they seek to revitalise their forward line. According to TeamTalk, the Bundesliga outfit have “expressed their interest” in re-signing Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. The English winger, currently out of favour at Old Trafford, could be offered a way back to regular football in a tactical twist that would see him play in a central attacking role.

Sancho, who previously thrived during his spell at Dortmund between 2017 and 2021, has endured a tumultuous time in Manchester. He was briefly loaned back to Dortmund last season after a high-profile fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag, and any hopes of a long-term Chelsea move have reportedly collapsed due to wage issues. As per the report, “Chelsea were willing to take up their roughly £25m option to buy, though wanted Sancho to accept a sizeable pay-cut. Negotiations to achieve that did not succeed.”

Manchester United are undergoing a significant summer overhaul, particularly in their attacking department. With plans to sign Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, plus potential interest in Viktor Gyokeres, the Red Devils are looking to fund these deals through outgoings. Sancho has emerged as one of four attackers United are prepared to sell, along with Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.

While Sancho has spent much of his career on the left wing, Dortmund are reportedly planning to deploy him in a new position. The Athletic reveals that he would be used “in one of the two No 10 roles in manager Niko Kovac’s 3-4-2-1 formation.”

This positional switch is designed to leverage Sancho’s close control, vision and passing ability, rather than relying on explosive pace. In a system built around Serhou Guirassy as the main striker, Dortmund see value in utilising Sancho in tighter spaces where his technical qualities can flourish.

Kovac’s tactical change could offer Sancho the consistency and freedom that has eluded him in Manchester. With Jamie Gittens set to join Chelsea and Karim Adeyemi also potentially leaving, Dortmund are in need of creative reinforcements.

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Wages remain a stumbling block

Despite Dortmund’s interest, one major hurdle remains — Sancho’s wages. The Athletic concedes, “the obvious questions to ask at this point in the story is what about Sancho’s high wages and will Dortmund match them?” The answer appears to be no, at least not in full.

However, there is optimism that the emotional pull of returning to Dortmund could outweigh financial concerns. The report notes, “Dortmund are ‘optimistic that the opportunity to return to the Westfalenstadion, where so many of his career’s best moments have occurred, would be appealing.’” Whether that will be enough to convince Sancho to take a pay cut is yet to be seen.

If a return to Germany fails to materialise, TeamTalk highlight that Sancho still has “an abundance of options in Saudi Arabia.” Those offers may be more lucrative, but a move to the Middle East could signify a premature retreat from elite European football for a player still in his prime.

For Manchester United, offloading Sancho would serve both sporting and financial purposes. His departure could accelerate their push to sign Amorim’s top targets, including Gyokeres. More importantly, it allows a clean break for a player who no longer fits the club’s evolving system or structure.

With Ruben Amorim expected to implement a more aggressive and flexible style of play, United are unlikely to reintegrate Sancho even if no move materialises. The winger’s strained relationship with management and inconsistent form make a fresh start mutually beneficial.

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From a Manchester United supporter’s perspective, Sancho’s exit feels like a necessary step, albeit a slightly disappointing one. When he was signed for £73 million, many believed he would become one of the Premier League’s best wide players. But a mix of tactical mismatches, personal issues and managerial fallout has left fans disillusioned.

Still, the idea of seeing him revitalised in a central role at Dortmund carries some intrigue. His ball control and intelligence on the pitch have never been in question. If Kovac can get a tune out of him again, it may sting to watch him thrive elsewhere. But realistically, there is little appetite among fans for him to return to Old Trafford.

If his sale paves the way for Gyokeres and Mbeumo, or helps fund the next wave of talent under Amorim, most supporters will accept the move. A reduced fee is better than holding onto an unhappy, high-earning player with no clear role. Dortmund might be his last chance to salvage a career that once promised so much.