Borussia Dortmund hint at Sancho return but wage demands remain hurdle

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has hinted at a potential summer move for Jadon Sancho, but the free-agent winger faces a significant wage cut to facilitate a return to the Bundesliga club. Sancho is set to leave Manchester United upon the expiry of his contract in June, with the club opting not to trigger a one-year extension clause.

Dortmund's sporting director Lars Ricken has already expressed public interest in re-signing the 26-year-old, who enjoyed a prolific spell at the Westfalenstadion between 2017 and 2021. Kovac appeared to endorse that interest this week, telling reporters the current squad lacks a certain profile of player. "What we certainly don't have are those players that maybe some people here would like to see – with those extra skills," Kovac said. "I think what we or the fans are missing is maybe players like Jadon Sancho, Haaland, Dembélé and Marco Reus."

However, a major obstacle to any deal remains Sancho's personal terms. According to a report from The Mirror, Dortmund are only willing to offer a salary in the region of €150,000 per week, a substantial reduction from the estimated €250,000-plus weekly wage he currently earns at Manchester United. The German club have effectively issued an ultimatum for the player to lower his financial expectations if he wishes to revive his career at a familiar home.

Sancho's stock has fallen dramatically since his €85 million move to Old Trafford in 2021. After a public falling-out with manager Erik ten Hag in 2023, he has not featured for United, instead embarking on loan spells at Dortmund, Chelsea, and most recently Aston Villa. His season at Villa Park has done little to restore his reputation; he has managed just two assists in 19 Premier League appearances, only eight of which were starts, and has failed to secure a permanent move.

For Dortmund, a return for Sancho on a free transfer represents a low-risk opportunity to recapture a player who registered 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances during his first stint. The club are seeking creative reinforcements after a season where they have at times lacked cutting edge. For Sancho, it offers a chance to reset his career in a supportive environment where he previously thrived, albeit with a compromised financial package.

The move would signal a pragmatic step for both parties, with Dortmund acquiring talent without a fee and Sancho prioritizing playing time and rehabilitation over top-tier earnings. The coming weeks will determine if sentiment and sporting logic can overcome the financial gap, paving the way for a remarkable third chapter for the player in Germany.