Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is allegedly closing in on a return to Borussia Dortmund.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Dortmund had opened talks with Man United over a loan move for the 23-year-old, who is set to leave Old Trafford during the January transfer window.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the deal 'is already advancing to key stages', with the England international moving a step closer to returning to the German outfit.
"Jadon Sancho deal is already advancing to key stages! Sancho wants Borussia Dortmund and the German club want deal to happen very soon. Talks underway," Romano posted on his official X account.
"Man United, now open to accept loan but they'll have to pay part of Sancho's salary and BVB will have to pay loan fee."
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Sancho starred for Dortmund between 2017 and 2021, representing the Bundesliga outfit on 137 occasions, scoring 50 goals and registering 64 assists in the process.
The forward completed a big-money move to Old Trafford ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, but he has found it difficult to make his mark at the club, only managing 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances.
Sancho has not featured for Man United since the end of August due to his falling-out with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag, which stemmed from him being left out against Arsenal.
Ten Hag said that Sancho was not involved at the Emirates Stadium the start of September due to some poor performances in training, but the player took to social media to insist that was not the case, claiming that he had been made "a scapegoat".
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Sancho has not been involved in the first-team environment at Man United for some time, and it appears almost certain that he has played his final match for the club.
The forward has a contract at Old Trafford until June 2026, though, and it is understood that the 20-time English champions are not willing to let him leave for a cut-price fee.
A loan return to Dortmund is seemingly the most likely scenario at this moment in time, but the Red Devils will have to pay part of his salary.
There have been suggestions of interest from West Ham United, while Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig have also been linked with his services.
However, Sancho is thought to have always favoured a return to BVB, who are fifth in the Bundesliga table, while they progressed to the last-16 stage of the Champions League as Group F winners.