Jadon Sancho must accept a significant wage reduction to rejoin Borussia Dortmund this summer, even as a free agent. The 26-year-old winger is set to leave Manchester United in June when his contract expires, after a disappointing stint at Old Trafford that included three loan spells. He is currently with Aston Villa, where he has struggled for form under Unai Emery.
Several clubs have expressed interest in Sancho, but Dortmund are leading the race to sign him. Sancho produced some of his best football during two spells with the Bundesliga side and is keen to return to the club where he emerged as one of Europe's brightest talents after leaving Manchester City as a teenager.
However, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has made it clear that the club cannot match Sancho's current £250,000-a-week wages. The player would need to accept a £100,000-a-week pay cut, dropping to £150,000-a-week, to secure a return to the Westfalenstadion. Dortmund are likely to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Sancho joined United in 2021 for £73 million but failed to live up to expectations. A public fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag in 2023 led to a loan back to Dortmund, where he helped them reach the Champions League final. Subsequent loans to Chelsea and Aston Villa have not revived his career, and he now sees a fresh start in familiar surroundings as his best chance to rediscover his form.
Sancho has 23 England caps but has not played for the national team since October 2021. He is desperate to reignite his career in Europe, with Dortmund seen as the ideal destination.
