Jadon Sancho requests shock Borussia Dortmund return as Chelsea stutter on obligation to buy

Jadon Sancho has requested a shock return to Borussia Dortmund, with Chelsea dragging their feet on a £25m obligation to buy from Manchester United.

News around the world has it that Chelsea are reneging on their obligation to buy the former Dortmund sensation after an agreement was struck between Man United for his permanent stay at Stamford Bridge.

Sancho joined Chelsea on loan from United last summer, with an obligation for the Blues to buy the England winger in the summer of 2025. Despite a quick start to life at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca, Sancho has struggled for form and fitness.

Under the agreement with United, the Blues will have to pay a £25m transfer fee in the summer window if they want to permanently sign the player, and if the club wants to opt out of the deal, they will have to pay a fixed fee of £5m.

Jadon Sancho Playing for Manchester United (Image by Sky Sports)

However, reports from The Athletic indicate that Chelsea are not considering pulling out of the agreement for Sancho as they are “impressed with his professionalism and committed approach to training, as well as his work rate with and without the ball in matches”.

From playing youth football with Watford and Manchester City, Sancho signed his first professional contract with Dortmund in 2017 before completing a high-profile transfer to Manchester United in 2021.

His relationship with the Red Devils, however, turned sour after just two seasons, and he was shipped back to the Bundesliga outfit on a short-term loan deal in January 2024.

The English winger had a dream start with Chelsea as he assisted in his first three league appearances, but in his next 20 matches, Sancho has one goal and provided just two assists.

Amid his struggles in west London, the 24-year-old has reportedly submitted a transfer request to move back to Dortmund in the summer, according to BILD.

Jadon Sancho Playing for Borussia Dortmund (Image by Bundesliga)

Despite all the speculation surrounding a possible transfer request away from the Premier League, Sancho remains focused on Chelsea and Maresca, as the Blues continue to fight for Champions League football for the first time under the new ownership.