Aston Villa are refusing to give up on Jadon Sancho despite Borussia Dortmund moving into pole position for the free transfer.
- Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has made direct personal contact with Sancho over a potential return
- The 26-year-old becomes a free agent on 1 July after Manchester United confirm no contract extension
- Villa retain hope due to Sancho’s personal admiration for Emery and a superior financial package
- A final decision is expected in the coming weeks with both clubs continuing to push their case
Dortmund accelerate. Kovac’s personal touch
Borussia Dortmund’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho has moved from background interest to genuine frontrunning status in recent weeks.
Rumors says Niko Kovac has made direct personal contact with the 26-year-old, outlining specifically how he would fit into the German club’s tactical system.
Those conversations are understood to have been “extremely positive” with all parties aligned over Sancho’s potential role and long-term future at Signal Iduna Park.
That personal managerial contact is a significant escalation. Dortmund’s hierarchy are now working through the financial structure of a deal with Sancho expected to become one of the club’s top earners despite accepting a substantial reduction on his current Manchester United wages.
The Bundesliga giants’ confidence is growing internally. The third Sancho chapter at the Westfalenstadion is becoming increasingly plausible.
Why Villa still have a genuine chance
Despite Dortmund’s momentum, the race is not over. Villa remain in active dialogue with Sancho and his representatives, and the Midlands club’s case rests on two specific and powerful foundations that their German rivals cannot replicate.
The first is the Emery factor. Sancho holds the Spanish manager in genuinely high regard, and that admiration is entirely mutual.
The professional relationship built during the current loan spell has created a level of trust and understanding that Kovac’s direct contact, however positive, cannot easily match.
Emery has personally been one of the driving forces behind Villa’s desire to make the arrangement permanent throughout this season.
The second advantage is financial. Villa are prepared to offer a package that would exceed Dortmund’s ability or willingness to match, albeit still significantly below the £250,000 per week the England international received at Old Trafford.
In a free transfer negotiation where no fee changes hands, the salary structure becomes the defining differentiator between competing clubs.
The Sancho situation: a free transfer confirmed
Manchester United have already decided against triggering the one-year extension option in Sancho’s contract: confirming a departure on 1 July and a 100% loss on the £73m paid to Dortmund in 2021.
The 26-year-old’s four goal contributions from 34 Villa appearances represent a modest but improving return, with his shoulder injury disrupting what had been developing into his best form of the entire loan spell.
Champions League is Villa’s most powerful argument
With Champions League qualification all but confirmed, Villa’s pitch to Sancho has never been stronger. Premier League football, elite European competition, a manager who believes in him, and a financial package competitive with anything Dortmund can offer the argument practically writes itself.
Dortmund are leading. Villa are still fighting. A final decision is expected within weeks. Everything Emery has built this season could be enhanced or complicated by the outcome of one player’s choice.
