So, back to Manchester United it is then. For a bit, anyway.
Despite their official social media channels telling anyone who would listen just how much they loved him – you’d be forgiven for thinking Jadon Sancho was nothing short of a revelation after returning for a second spell in Germany if you’d only viewed his loan spell through Borussia Dortmund’s official X account – a permanent move to the Champions League runners-up always felt rather unlikely.
Sebastian Kehl, Dortmund’s sporting director, admitted as much back in March.
“In the end, it will take money (to sign Sancho). A lot of money. Definitely more than we have at the moment, that’s clear,” Kehl said at the time, Manchester United keen to sell but unwilling to let a £73 million man leave on the cheap.
“We got over 80 million euros for Jadon. Manchester United will, of course, also have an interest in either bringing him back in the summer or selling him in a deal that makes sense for them.”
Manchester United return likely for Jadon Sancho
According to The Mirror, the Red Devils want to recoup around £50 million of that 2021 outlay. With Man United’s hopes of some high-profile arrivals largely dependant on a few big-money departures, Sancho’s Invisible Man tribute act in Dortmund’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley will not make life any easier for Erik ten Hag, Jason Wilcox and co.
That thrilling performance against PSG in the semi-final first leg was, it turned out, very much the exception rather than the rule.
Sancho, for all of Dortmund’s social media posturing, managed only three goals and two assists during 21 appearances in a largely underwhelming second stint in yellow and black.
And, taking to X himself in the aftermath of their Wembley heartbreak, Sancho said his farewell to the Yellow Wall of BVB supporters for a second time.
Sancho says goodbye to Borussia Dortmund again
“What a crazy six months,” Sancho writes. “We win together, we lose together. These moments only make us stronger! I’m so grateful to be apart of such an amazing group of players!
“I want to congratulate Real Madrid on winning the Champions League. We came up short on the night, but we should be super proud of ourselves. We are a family and these moments won’t break us! Thank you to everybody who came out to support us on such a special day!
“I want to thank everyone involved at such an amazing club. I can’t thank you enough for welcoming me back the way you all have during these last six months.
“Thank you to (coach) Edin Terzic, Sebastian Kehl and (CEO) Hans-Joachim Watzke for believing in me and bringing me back. Finally a special thank you to the BVB fans. Your support is amazing and I’m forever thankful for you all!”
There is a chance, of course, that Sancho could be handed a fresh start at Old Trafford. Particularly if Ineos decide to part with Erik ten Hag.
Then again, the relationship between Sancho and the majority of the Man United supporters appear to have beenbroken to such an extent that any prospect of a return is unlikely to be particularly well received by the matchgoing Red Devils support.