German news publication Bild reports that despite his comments this weekend, Jadon Sancho wants to leave Borussia Dortmund to return to the Premier League this summer.
The English forward said: “Will I leave the club? I don’t know about my future. I am very happy here in Dortmund at the moment. I love the club, the fans and the team. They gave me my first professional start.”
Yet, Bild contradicts his statement. They claim that, after he was on the cusp of a move to Manchester United last summer, he is once again keen to make a move back to England after honing his talents in the Bundesliga for four seasons.
They add that with Dortmund looking for €100 million (transfer fee plus bonuses), Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool will all struggle to find the funds necessary to finance a move for arguably England’s most exciting talent.
That’s before his wages are taken into consideration, with Dortmund reportedly paying Sancho £160,000/week.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – AUGUST 28: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Borussia Dortmund and SC Paderborn on August 28, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
If you disregard the costs involved, signing Sancho seems like a no-brainer. He’s not only a brilliant dribbler with the ability to make even the best defenders in the world look silly but he’s got the end product to match his flair.
Too often, players with his trickery focus too much on beating their man that they struggle to match that quality with a goal or assist. The perfect example of this is Adama Traore and Allan Saint-Maximin.
There aren’t any better dribblers in the Premier League but they’re both the most fun to watch and the most frustrating.
Sancho, on the other hand, can tie a defender’s shoelaces together before picking out Erling Haaland in the box or with a through ball.
At Liverpool, he’d be brilliant on the counter-attack but I think he’d be more important for the Reds against sides that sit are quite happy to concede possession for 90 minutes and sit deep in a low block.
Dortmund’s English midfielder Jadon Sancho (L) celebrates with Dortmund’s Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland after scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Dortmund, western Germany, on February 13, 2021. (Photo by LEON KUEGELER / POOL / AFP)
In all competitions, Sancho has 14 goals and 18 assists despite missing 11 games through injury.
Perhaps the biggest advantage to signing Sancho this summer rather than later is his age.
Jurgen Klopp would be able to develop the winger from the age of 21 and would essentially be able to guarantee Liverpool years and years of seeing one of the most exciting forwards that England has produced for some time.
In his first four years of professional football, the former Manchester City winger has 48 goals and 62 assists.
That’s mind-boggling but it really underlines how mature a decision it was to move to the Bundesliga to spend his most important developmental years at a club that could prioritise his needs.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 29: Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund scores his sides first goal past Alexander Schwolow of Sport-Club Freiburg during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Sport-Club Freiburg at Signal Iduna Park on February 29, 2020 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
I don’t presume to know what Liverpool’s bank balance looks like but if they can somehow find the funds to sign Sancho, next season could be the best season under Jurgen Klopp in terms of the quality of football on show.
The 2018/19 season was arguably the most exciting campaign under the German to date but a front four of Sancho, Mane, and Salah with Firmino and Jota in the rear would be difficult to top.
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