Jadon Sancho: Dortmund Weighs Summer Return After Loan Spell

Borussia Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken confirmed the club are weighing a transfer move for Jadon Sancho while also outlining their stance on defender Nico Schlotterbeck, as the Bundesliga side begin shaping plans for the upcoming summer window.

Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, yet the winger is scheduled to reach the end of the contract at Old Trafford when this season finishes, which would allow a free transfer if no new deal is signed.

The 26-year-old left Dortmund for Manchester United in 2021 for a fee of 73m (85m). Sancho has since struggled for consistency at Old Trafford and has been loaned to Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa across the last three seasons, trying to regain regular form and rhythm.

During the current campaign with Aston Villa, Sancho has scored once in all competitions, with that goal arriving in the Europa League. The winger contributed to Chelsea’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph last season, after returning to England following a productive earlier spell with Dortmund in Germany.

Across two previous stints at Dortmund, Sancho registered 118 Bundesliga matches. The winger delivered 40 league goals and 47 assists during those spells, establishing a strong record in the German top flight that still interests decision-makers at Signal Iduna Park.

Ricken explained the club’s broader recruitment approach when speaking to SportBild, stressing that Sancho is one of several names under review. Ricken said: "We're currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them closely. We check whether they can make us better. We're doing that with Jadon as well."

Ricken also addressed speculation around Nico Schlotterbeck, who has been linked with a move away from Dortmund. The central defender’s current agreement runs until June 2027, but the club want clarity well before the final year and are keen to avoid losing Schlotterbeck on a free transfer.

Outlining Dortmund’s options, Ricken added: "There are three options: we extend the contract, we sell him in the summer, or we go into the final year of the contract. We all want to avoid the last option. That wouldn't be good for us or for Nico. We still assume that the first option will work out. I've always approached the talks with optimism. We will now continue them. Ole [Book, Dortmund's new sporting director] has now also met Nico for the first time, and the three of us have already sat down together."

Dortmund are therefore assessing a potential Sancho reunion while also holding talks over Schlotterbeck’s long-term status. The club expect further discussions with Ole Book and Schlotterbeck, as they look to maintain squad stability and decide whether to bring Sancho back to the Bundesliga.