Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 24 March 2026 9:30, UK

Borussia Dortmund may just have the upper hand over Aston Villa in the race to sign Jadon Sancho.

Sky Sports Germany reports that BVB president Hans-Joachim Watzke is working hard to secure a return for the winger, who is currently on loan at Villa Park.

The report outlines that Dortmund assume that Sancho would be willing to take a reduced salary over the summer, with his permanent exit from Manchester United all but certain.

Sancho has begun to find form under Unai Emery in the Midlands, after his disastrous spell in Manchester saw his stocks drop to an all-time low before his move on deadline day last summer.

The 26-year-old scored 53 times and registered 67 assists across two previous spells in the Ruhrpott, meaning that Dortmund could have the upper hand when it comes to securing his signature this summer.

Jadon Sancho has previously shone for Borussia Dortmund

Making the move from Manchester City in 2017, Sancho cemented his place as one of Europe’s best prospects under Lucien Favre and Edin Terzic before his £73million switch to Manchester United in 2021.

Though he was never quite able to hit anything like the same heights at Old Trafford, the condition of the club at the time did not come to his aid.

Following a poor period, he would rejoin Die Schwarzgelben on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 season, impressing as Terzic’s side progressed to the Champions League final – losing out to Real Madrid at Wembley.

He would put up respectable numbers at Chelsea last term, but he was far from a regular at Stamford Bridge, starting just 19 times in the Premier League.

Sancho made a name for himself at the Westfalenstadion, and for some reason or another, it just has not worked elsewhere.

Despite his numbers not skyrocketing, he has picked up form once again under Emery, though Dortmund could carry the upper hand in a transfer race thanks to his past affiliations.

When it comes to where he will be playing his football next term, the result of Aston Villa’s season could be the defining factor.

Aston Villa’s European destination could be the defining factor in Jadon Sancho race

As mentioned, the winger has continued to show signs that there is most definitely a player there under Emery, starring in wins over West Ham and Lille.

Without electric pace, the 25-year-old is not a dynamic one-on-one threat, but his stats still indicate a player with supreme talents with the ball at his feet.

Sancho has never quite been an all-action dribbler as a player; instead, he thrives when able to stand up a defender and cause havoc with his creative instincts.

The difference made by Emery is the confidence instilled in him to do exactly that.

With Dortmund on track for a place in the Champions League, Villa’s own European ambitions will make a huge difference in the race.

The Villans are one of the favourites to go on and win the Europa League in May, while they are looking to get back on track in the Premier League and secure a spot in Europe’s premier competition through that pathway first.

Even with his past affiliations in mind, a strong end to both Sancho’s and Aston Villa’s season could swing the race back in their favour moving towards the summer.