- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Borussia Dortmund could have two new names in their ranks before their next league match, with Manchester United star Jadon Sancho on the verge of a move and Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen set to have a medical on Tuesday.
HITC Football understands that Dortmund are hoping to announce Jadon Sancho and Ian Maatsen this week before they return from their winter break.
The 23-year-old England international was hoping to join the squad during their training camp in Marbella last week, however, the finer details of the move still haven’t been resolved.
Sancho’s move has already been slightly delayed before, but there is confidence that the deal will be concluded soon.
The initial deal will see Sancho re-join the German giants on loan and he has made it clear to Manchester United that they’re the only club he wishes to join.
Sancho set for Dortmund move, Maatsen to have medical on Tuesday
HITC Football also believes that while Sancho could join Dortmund in the coming days, he’s unlikely to feature on Saturday.
However, Dortmund are hopeful that Maatsen will be available to make his debut away to Darmstadt having barely featured this season under Mauricio Pochettino.
Sources have confirmed to HITC Football that Maatsen is due to have a medical on Tuesday in Germany as he closes in on a move to the Signal Iduna Park.
This builds on information we previously received that the 21-year-old was keen on a move to Dortmund.
Speaking to Sky DE yesterday, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “We are in negotiations to sign Jadon Sancho, for sure. We want to sign him on loan. That’s no secret. But we are not yet ready to announce a done deal.”
Dortmund move makes sense for Sancho in January
It’s safe to say that Jadon Sancho’s move to Old Trafford in 2021 hasn’t worked out for either party.
The 23-year-old initially cost £73m and Dortmund will be delighted to bring him back this month having already cashed in on one of their most exciting prospects in years.
Sancho needs to get minutes under his belt after his falling out with Erik ten Hag although the team he’s returning to isn’t in the same shape as when he left.
Although they’ve progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League, they find themselves 15 points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Sancho also thrived at Dortmund when linking up with Erling Haaland who has since moved on to Manchester City.
The team have also struggled to replace Jude Bellingham after his transfer to Real Madrid in the summer.
Maatsen looking to impress on the big stage
While Sancho is preparing for a move to finally escape his troubles in Manchester, he’s likely to take much of the attention away from Ian Maatsen ahead of his Dortmund medical.
The 21-year-old was fantastic on loan at Burnley last season, helping them win the Championship.
So much so, that they made a £31.5m bid for the Dutchman, but he turned down a return to Turf Moor.
However, despite Mauricio Pochettino rebuilding Chelsea with a young, vibrant squad, he’s struggled to find a place in the team for Maatsen.
Although he’s made 12 league appearances this season, only one of those has been from the start.
A loan move to Dortmund makes a lot of sense as he tries to establish himself given his limited chance at Chelsea.
It will be fascinating to see how the pair get on in Germany after their struggles in England for very different reasons this season.
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