Dortmund analysing Sancho return but Woltemade talk quashed

Borussia Dortmund are “analysing” a potential reunion with Jadon Sancho, according to managing director Lars Ricken, who dismissed speculation of a loan move for Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade.

Sancho left Dortmund for Manchester United in 2021, leaving for a reported €85million (£73m) fee.

However, the move to Old Trafford has proven a nightmare for Sancho, who has not played a Premier League game for United since the 2023-24 season, the second half of which he spent back on loan at Dortmund, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 21 appearances.

Sancho has scored 12 goals in 83 games for United, but spent last season on loan at Chelsea after featuring in the Community Shield for the Red Devils. The Blues paid a £5m penalty fee to United after electing not to make the transfer permanent, with Sancho then joining Aston Villa on loan for this season.

The 26-year-old has scored one goal and registered three assists in 31 appearances for Villa. With no option for Villa to make the deal permanent and Sancho’s United contract expiring at the end of the season, Sancho could be signed on a free transfer.

United have an option to extend his contract by a further year, but are not expected to take it up.

And Dortmund are exploring the possibility of bringing Sancho back for a third spell at Signal Iduna Park.

“We are currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them,” Ricken told Sport Bild.

“We are assessing whether they can improve our team. We are doing the same with Jadon.

“Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee.

“In defence, Niklas Sule is leaving us, and Emre Can will be out for a while. So we are thinking about that area as well.”

Dortmund dismiss Woltemade rumours

One player Dortmund will not be moving for is Woltemade, despite a report in Bild that they are eyeing a loan deal for the Germany international to replace Serhou Guirassy,

Speculation has suggested Guirassy is looking to end his time with Dortmund after two seasons, while there is scrutiny on Woltemade following a significant change in his role at Newcastle.

The Magpies made Woltemade their club-record signing in August, signing him from Stuttgart in a deal worth up to £69.3m.

Woltemade scored six goals in his first 11 games for the club, but has not found the net in the Premier League since a double against Chelsea on December 20.

His last goal came in an FA Cup fourth-round win over Aston Villa on February 14, though he did provide the assist for Newcastle’s goal in their 2-1 Tyne Wear Derby defeat to Sunderland last time out.

Woltemade has gone from leading the line for Newcastle to more recently operating in the midfield as a number eight and number 10, with that switch a factor in talk of a return to Germany.

But Ricken said of the rumours connecting him with Dortmund: “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. [There is] no truth to it.”

“It’s my wish and the wish of [sporting director] Ole (Book) and Niko Kovac [head coach] that Serhou remains with us this summer. He feels extremely comfortable at the club, and there is no intention to let him go.”

Woltemade hits back at critics

Woltemade recently responded to criticism of his apparent drop-off in goalscoring form.

Speaking to  Süddeutsche Zeitung, he said: “It bothers me. If someone claims that I’m in a slump, I’d argue that this person doesn’t watch many Newcastle games.

“I know people associate me with goals, but you can’t compare a striker’s tally with that of a midfielder playing 50, 60, 70 metres from the opponent’s goal. I’m currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season.

“Right now, I should be judged by how I handle duels or secure space. Of course, I score far fewer goals now. But I’m completely relaxed. I don’t mind expanding my repertoire. And I’m convinced that, in the long run, it will make me stronger if I learn to navigate phases like this.”