Jadon Sancho: Manchester United dealt transfer blow as Dortmund drop contract bombshell

Michael Zorc, Dortmund’s sporting director, said Sancho would stay at Signal Iduna Park for the 2020-21 season

Jadon Sancho will play for Borussia Dortmund next season, according to the club’s sporting director, despite Manchester United’s interest in the winger.

Michael Zorc told reporters at Dortmund’s training camp in Switzerland that Sancho would stay at Signal Iduna Park for the 2020-21 season and that decision was ‘final’.

Zorc also claimed that Sancho’s contract – previously believed to have two years left to run – was extended by a further 12 months last summer until 2023.

“We plan on having Jadon Sancho in our team this season, the decision is final,” Zorc said. ”I think that answers all our questions.

“Last summer we adjusted Jadon’s salary to match the development of his performances. So in context, we had already extended his contract until 2023 back then.”

Sancho is United’s priority transfer target this summer but negotiations between the two clubs have reached a stalemate, with Dortmund holding out for a deal which meets their €120m asking price.

The Old Trafford club are understood to be frustrated by the slow pace of the discussions, as Dortmund have insisted that they will negotiate through an intermediary.

United are also determined to avoid mistakes of the past and are yet to finalise either Sancho’s potential salary or fees paid to agents, which remain an obstacle.

The Independent reported on Monday that Sancho may need to force his way out of Dortmund in order to join up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.

United feel Dortmund’s demands are unrealistic following the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on European football and they are prepared to walk away if an agreement cannot be reached.

It is understood that Sancho may need to submit a transfer request in order to force through a move, though the player’s camp have been reluctant to do so on account of their good relationship with Dortmund.

The Bundesliga club originally set a deadline of Monday – 10 August – for negotiations with United to progress. Senior United sources have dismissed that deadline as “artificial” with the transfer window only due to shut on 5 October.

Sancho travelled with his Dortmund team-mates to a pre-season training camp in the Swiss spa town of Bad Ragaz, having visited London at the weekend.