Borussia Dortmund exploring potential Jadon Sancho return
Borussia Dortmund plans for next season are already well under way. In an interview with German outlet Sport Bild, BVB managing director for sport Lars Ricken discussed the club's strategy to replace the outgoing Julian Brandt and whether former star Jadon Sancho could return for a third stint to fill the void.
Dortmund are currently in midst of an impressive Bundesliga campaign, amassing 64 points and a goal difference of +32 (the second-highest in the league). They have lost on just two occasions, and could secure qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League with a win this weekend.
However, the nine-point gap to leaders Bayern Munich means BVB's dreams of landing the Meisterschale are all but over, meaning they can already look ahead to 2026/27 as they aim to win the title for the first time in 15 years.
Reinforcing the attack is a priority, with Dortmund set to lose an important component in Brandt, who will move on to pastures new after seven years at Signal Iduna Park when his contract expires this summer. With seven goals and three assists this term, his quality is obvious, and Ricken is aware that his exit will have an impact.
"We will need to replace Julian Brandt's creativity and goal contribution - we knew that when we made the decision," the 49-year-old said of the Germany international.
Ricken then provided an insight into what Dortmund are looking for in any potential replacement. "We are searching for an attacking player that will provide quality and can immediately help us, without spending enormous amounts of money," he explained.
Additionally, Ricken revealed that Dortmund are not in the market for a centre-foward. "In that position, we have Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva. I believe we already have fantastic options," he said. Intead, other areas of the offensive line will be looked at. "At the moment, we are looking at a lot of players and are evaluating them," Ricken stated.
In regards to Sancho, he said: "We are seeing who can make us better, and we are doing the same with Jadon."
The Englishman has already had two stints with BVB, featuring for the club between 2017 and 2021 and in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign while on loan from Manchester United.
Watch: The best of Jadon Sancho at Dortmund
Currently at English Premier League outfit Aston Villa on a temporary basis, Sancho has been unable to match the incredible form he showed for the Black-Yellows. In 118 Bundesliga games, he netted 40 goals and provided 54 assists, developing into one of the division's most prominent stars.
A reunion between the 26-year-old and BVB could be a match made in heaven once more and, as the old saying goes, all good things comes in threes.
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