Jadon Sancho is wanted back in England by all the Premier League’s top clubs, but the midfielder is in no hurry to return.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder made his international debut against Croatia, having earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s after impressive form for Borussia Dortmind.
The teenager decided to quit Manchester City in 2017, rejecting a new contract and instead pushing for a move to get access to first-team football and he signed for Dortmund.
Since then Sancho has emerged as one of Europe’s top young prospects – moving ahead of many compatriots who have stayed put in the Premier League but are struggling to get first-team action.
Sancho performances have seen Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all keeping close checks on his progress – but his former club City have an active interest, as they have a buy-back clause, meaning they can re-sign him for a set fee which is believed to be £100million.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Monaco are also watching him closely.
Sources close to Sancho have confirmed that he is more than happy with life at Dortmund, and he sees little point in looking to move any time soon.
“Do I feel like playing in England again? I don’t know. It’s the future. You never know what could happen, so we wait and see,” said Sancho, when asked about a possible move back to England.
“I’m happy to be a part of Dortmund. Obviously I have got to say thank you to the (Dortmund) manager (Lucien Favre) for playing me, trusting and believing in me.”
Sancho has just committed to a new long-term contract, which Dortmund insists does not have a release clause – although they did not deny the buy-back.
The club’s head of licenced player department, Sebastian Kehl, said this new deal was “without a release clause” as a result of interest in the player.
“We are not naïve to not take note of other clubs’ interest. The lads are doing a grand job right now. And thus, there will always be enquiries for the players we have here.
“Especially for players like Jadon Sancho, who has been invited to the England senior squad for the first time.”
Bookmakers firmly believe that Sancho will be heading back to England sooner rather than later.
Paddy Power make it odds-on 1/4 that he is in the England Euro 2020 squad – around an 80% chance – following his call up this week and he is 11/4 that he returns to the Premier League in 2019.
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “With an England call-up under his belt, Jadon Sancho is hot property. He’s now top-rated to be in the Euro 2020 squad, and we suspect a big-money move back to the Premier League is on the cards.
“However, with Man City shrewdly putting a buy-back clause in his contract, it looks like they’ll have dominance in England – again…”