Two obstacles for Sancho as former United outcast nears potential Dortmund return

Jadon Sancho would be forced to accept two contract conditions if he is to secure a return to Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Sancho is currently a free agent after his Manchester United contract expired at the end of June.

The Red Devils opted against taking an option to extend the deal for a further year in a bid to secure a transfer fee, with the club cutting their losses on the winger.

Sancho, who joined Man United from Dortmund in a £73million deal in 2021, has been tipped to have a third spell with the Bundesliga side.

He initially starred at the club during a four-year spell, before spending the second half of the 2023-24 season on loan.

According to German newspaper Bild, Dortmund are considering giving Sancho a career lifeline but under certain conditions.

The report claims Sancho would have to accept a heavily performance-based contract to facilitate his return.

Sancho would also have to forgo a signing bonus with the Bundesliga giants.

Dortmund chief executive Carsten Cramer addressed speculation that Sancho could return to the club.

'There’s hardly a name that electrifies the people of Dortmund more than Jadon – that’s just the way it is, that’s been the case throughout the entire summer break,' Cramer told Sky90.

'Jadon hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s an impeccable young man.

'But we consistently handle it this way, we don’t comment on any names at all.'

Sancho's fitness levels are regarded as a particular concern at Dortmund given he has rarely performed at the highest level for a sustained period over the past five years, and it could take time for him to get completely up to speed.

Sancho had made 158 appearances across his two spells at Dortmund, scoring 53 goals and providing 67 assists.

The winger struggled at Man United with his spell at the club best remembered for his public falling out with then manager Erik ten Hag.

Sancho also had underwhelming loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa in the past two seasons.

Despite his struggles, Sancho remarkably featured in the final of Europe's three major club competitions in different seasons during his loan spells at Dortmund, Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this month that there are agreements in principle with a number of clubs across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, while clubs in Europe, with Turkey one potential landing spot, are also paying close attention. It is Sancho who is taking his time to choose his next destination.

Sancho has been keeping fit at 10th-tier side Flixton FC, with the forward visiting and training at their Valley Ground.

His appearance at the non-league club came as such a surprise that Flixton were forced to release a statement explaining that he 'was not on trial with the club'.