Jadon Sancho’s potential return to Borussia Dortmund is facing complications, with the Bundesliga club now prioritizing a move for Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, according to Sky Sport Germany. Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, is set to become a free agent this summer as his contract with Manchester United expires.
Dortmund had initially identified Sancho as a potential replacement for outgoing player Julian Brandt, and publicly expressed interest in re-signing the winger for a third spell. However, the club’s pursuit of Sancho has reportedly ‘cooled’ and is currently ‘on hold’, though a revival later in the summer has not been entirely ruled out.
The German side have shifted their focus towards finding a number ten capable of playing wide, leading them to Nwaneri, who was also a target last year. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Marseille, where he has struggled for consistent playing time, making only three starts since joining in January.
Arsenal are reportedly open to allowing Nwaneri to leave permanently, as any transfer fee would represent pure profit due to his status as a product of their academy. However, a deal remains ‘unlikely’ due to Dortmund’s concerns over the ‘high transfer fee’ and the potential ‘difficulty’ of negotiating terms. Nwaneri has not impressed manager Habib Beye at Marseille, hindering his chances of a breakthrough.
Sancho’s own loan spell at Aston Villa has been underwhelming, with just eight Premier League starts this season. This lack of form has led Manchester United to decide against triggering the one-year extension option in his contract, signaling a likely departure from English football after a disappointing five-year stint following his €85 million move to Old Trafford in 2021. Dortmund’s change in transfer strategy leaves Sancho facing a challenging summer as he seeks to rebuild his career.
