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Jadon Sancho to Dortmund: Romano reveals why everything CHANGED this weekend
Fabrizio Romano has admitted that there is now significant doubt over Jadon Sancho’s transfer from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund, with events over the weekend casting doubt on the England international’s ability to return to the Bundesliga side on a permanent basis.
Sancho moved to Dortmund on loan in January after being exiled from Man Utd by manager Erik ten Hag in September following a public fallout between the pair.
With options limited due to the huge salary of the winger, he moved back to BVB during the January transfer window via a loan deal. He had previously joined the Red Devils directly from the Bundesliga outfit.
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Sancho has since played 19 times for Dortmund, scoring three goals and creating two more, but while there appears to be a will to keep him at the club, a 4-1 loss to RB Leipzig at the weekend in which the Englishman scored a terrific goal, may just have changed his future.
“The intention of Borussia Dortmund, from what I’m hearing, is that they really, really want to try to keep Sancho at the club this summer. It would obviously be easier for them in terms of their transfer budget if they have Champions League football, otherwise it could be tough, it’s not an easy deal at all, but they will try,” Romano explained on the Daily Briefing.
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Champions League football, though, moved a big step away from Edin Terzic’s side at the weekend.
Dortmund’s defeat to the club immediately above them means that they are likely to finish fifth in the Bundesliga standings, leaving their place in Europe’s top competition in doubt, despite having a semi-final with PSG scheduled over the next fortnight. Victory would have taken them fourth.
Indeed, that thumping loss to RB Leipzig, in which they lost key defender Mats Hummels to injury, could be a fatal blow.
Dortmund seek to maximise Sancho transfer opportunity
In order to seal a Champions League spot next season, and as Romano explains increase the likelihood of a deal for Sancho, Dortmund can either win the competition this season or hope the Bundesliga has enough UEFA coefficient points to seal a bonus fifth place for next season.
Italy’s Serie A has already locked down one of the extra spaces, while the Bundesliga is in pole ahead of the Premier League and Ligue 1 to get the other.
Romano explained that even the player wants the deal done.
“Sancho himself is also keen on staying at Dortmund, so they will make an attempt and then let’s see how it will go,” he adds.
“Let’s also see when negotiations will take place, because for now the focus is obviously on the Champions League semi-finals and their final games in the Bundesliga, but for sure Sancho will be a topic for discussion at Dortmund and Manchester United in the next weeks.”