Borussia Dortmund are reportedly putting together a complicated plan to keep Jadon Sancho that would see a swap deal involving Donyell Malen offered to Manchester United.
United winger Sancho rejoined his former club in January on a six-month loan deal. He was allowed to leave Old Trafford after a public falling-out with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho enjoyed a bright start to life back in Germany with two assists in his first two Bundesliga games. He has now followed that up with the first goal of his second spell as he netted in a 2-1 win over Werder Bremen.
The 23-year-old's form appears good enough for Dortmund to explore an extended stay. As it stands, a permanent move looks too expensive but measures are being implemented to lower that fee.
According to Bild, Dortmund will attempt to sign him on loan again. They are hoping to agree a deal for the 2024/25 season and then make an effort to seal a permanent move after that - when Sancho will have just a year left on his Man United contract.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dashDortmund could also offer a swap deal with previous Red Devils' target Malen among the contenders. It is suggested that current boss Edin Terzic is driving the club's attempts to sign Sancho permanently.
"In the last few days and weeks, I’ve gotten many, many questions about why he isn’t where he was yet,” he said about the winger’s current form. "For us, it makes complete sense if you take into account what his last 12 months looked like, and yet last week he was very dissatisfied and there was a long conversation.
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"After the game, he was dissatisfied because he said he lost the ball too many times, especially in the second half, and that’s what I like about him. He is not just focusing on his goal but taking in the entire performance. Even though he hadn’t scored in the last few weeks, we’ve seen that he’s well on his way there. We know he’s not 100 per cent yet but we’ll get him there."
Away from Sancho, Malen has also been in positive form for Dortmund this season. The former Arsenal trainee has scored 13 goals for the German side in all competitions.
His contract is due to run until the summer of 2026. While Dortmund are willing to send him to Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag has already been sent a word of caution about moving for his compatriot. Former Man Utd star Dwight Yorke has claimed that the Red Devils cannot afford to “waste money” on signings that will not improve the squad.
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