Jadon Sancho transfer statement issued as former Man United forward learns final decision

Jadon Sancho is a free agent after his contract at Manchester United expired this summer, and the former England international had been linked with a return to Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac has ruled out the prospect of signing Jadon Sancho. The former Dortmund, Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa forward is currently without a club after his contract at Old Trafford expired this summer.

The 26-year-old was unable to secure a new club during the summer transfer window, despite being a free agent. Sancho failed to make a lasting impression during his five-year stint at United, resulting in loan spells at Dortmund, Chelsea and Villa.

Despite occasional glimpses of his undoubted talent, none of those clubs opted to sign him on a permanent basis. Chelsea, who had an obligation to buy the winger, even paid a £5million penalty to send him back to Manchester in 2025.

The Manchester City academy product then went on to spend a season at Villa Park, where he struggled to command regular first-team football under Unai Emery. Sancho returned to United after last season, and the club decided against offering him a contract extension.

Speculation has gathered pace in recent weeks, with Sancho linked to a number of clubs. A return to Dortmund had not been entirely dismissed either, according to German outlet Bild.

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However, those hopes appear to have been extinguished by Kovac. Speaking ahead of the 3-0 victory over SC Paderborn on Saturday, he said: "I think we had a really good transfer summer.

"We're very well positioned. The squad is already very large. We have 26 outfield players, many of them young," On the subject of a potential move for Sancho, he added: "Therefore, we don't need to concern ourselves with that."

Dortmund were forced to act swiftly after new signing Giannis Konstantelias suffered a cruciate ligament tear, which sparked hopes of Sancho returning to the Signal Iduna Park.

However, the German Bundesliga club instead secured the services of English forward Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal on deadline day. As a result, Sancho's available options are now rapidly narrowing.

Clubs in Turkey, the Saudi Pro League and the UAE are reported to be exploring a move for the winger. Sancho has also been offered the opportunity to join Arabian Falcons, the Dubai-based side managed by former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, who is off to a winning start in the new campaign.

United signed Sancho for £73m in 2021 following his emergence as one of Europe's most exciting talents. Clubs were clamouring for his signature, and it appeared that the Red Devils had pulled off a significant transfer coup.

Yet United never recouped that investment. The Englishman managed just 12 goals and six assists in 83 appearances during a spell that never truly got off the ground.

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