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Borussia Dortmund chief denies Jadon Sancho, Donyell Malen swap talks

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 14 December 2023

Dortmund chief denies Sancho, Malen swap talks

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl denies that his club have discussed a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen with Manchester United.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has denied that the club have held talks with Manchester United over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen.

German journalist Christian Falk claimed that Dortmund and Man United had met on Friday to discuss the possibility of Sancho returning to the German club and Malen moving in the opposite direction.

However, Kehl, speaking after Wednesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, insisted that there had not been any discussions over a possible exchange.

"At the moment there is no exchange deal discussed or any interest in any player," Kehl told DAZN when questioned on the alleged meeting between the two clubs.

Sancho has not played for Man United since the end of August due to his falling-out with Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag, and he is widely expected to leave the club in early 2024.

Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Juventus are believed to be the favourites for the England international, but there have also been claims that Dortmund are interested in re-signing him on an initial loan deal.

Sancho played the best football of his career at BVB, scoring 50 goals and registering 64 assists in 137 matches for the Bundesliga team between 2017 and 2021.

The forward has only managed 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances for Man United, though, with the Englishman finding it difficult to show his best form at Old Trafford.

Malen, meanwhile, has recently been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Ten Hag's side thought to be admirers of the Netherlands international, who is said to be keen to leave BVB next month.

Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen in action with Manchester United midfielder Omari Forson on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

The 24-year-old has scored five goals and registered two assists in 21 appearances for his German club this season.

Malen has a contract with Dortmund until June 2026, but he is allegedly available for €30m (£25.8m) in January, with Liverpool also being linked with his services.

Ten Hag recently said that Man United are not planning to be active in January, but Sancho and Donny van de Beek are both set to leave, while Anthony Martial, Casemiro and Raphael Varane could also depart.

The Red Devils, at this moment, are not thought to be planning to sack Ten Hag, but a poor result against Liverpool on Sunday could lead to a rethink.

Incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has allegedly already identified Graham Potter as a replacement for Ten Hag, should the club be forced to act in the coming weeks.