Jadon Sancho has endured a torrid term with Manchester United since his arrival in 2021, but his nightmarish era at Old Trafford could draw to a close this summer

Borussia Dortmund are keen on signing Manchester United flop Jadon Sancho for a third time, club chief Lars Ricken has confirmed. The English winger, who cost £73m when he joined in 2021, has endured a torrid spell at Old Trafford.

He has managed just 12 goals in 83 appearances for United and has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons away on loan. Sancho spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign at Dortmund, before moving to Chelsea last season.

Chelsea had been obligated to make that deal permanent but paid a penalty fee to withdraw from that agreement. Sancho has since been at Aston Villa but has found the net just once during his time in the Midlands.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

With his contract set to expire this summer, and United opting against activating an option to extend it by a further season, he looks all but set to depart the club. Dortmund managing director Ricken has now revealed that Sancho is among several potential targets for the German outfit.

Speaking to Sport Bild, he said: “We are currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them. We check whether they can make us better.

“We are doing the same with Jadon. Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee.

“In defence, Niklas Süle is leaving us, and Emre Can will be out for a while. So we are thinking about that area as well.”

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

Sancho has endured a difficult campaign with Villa, having made just 17 starts across all competitions. His sole goal came in a 1-0 away victory against Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

However, speaking earlier this year, manager Unai Emery appeared to indicate he would be receptive to making the move permanent. He said: “Not yet, but he is a fantastic player.

“Hopefully he can help us by increasing his qualities in our structure like he is doing. He will need another contract, and maybe it could be here.

“If he plays his best football, we will want him. But also other teams could be involved in the interest for him.”

Reflecting on Sancho’s performances for Villa, Emery added: “The first part of the season was not enough. He was working and trying, but not achieving the performance we needed.

“Now he is getting better. He is getting the challenge for him and us.”

A rival manager has reportedly reached out directly to Alejandro Garnacho in the hopes of giving the ex-Manchester United winger a route out of Chelsea in the summer transfer window

This summer could present a major crossroads for Alejandro Garnacho amid reports he’s been contacted directly by a rival manager. However, it’s not necessarily the kind of interest the Argentina international might have envisioned one year after leaving Manchester United to join Chelsea.

Garnacho, 21, was seemingly considered to be a disruptive presence in United’s changing room prior to his Old Trafford exit. The winger spoke out against Ruben Amorim after being dropped by his former boss towards the end of that chapter, joining the Blues last summer in a £40million switch.

And after struggling for success under Liam Rosenior, Argentinian broadcaster TyC has reported he’s now a target for River Plate. So much so that manager Eduardo Coudet is alleged to have reached out personally in the hopes of luring the player.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

It’s suggested River Plate are interested in recruiting Garnacho on a one-year loan, which Chelsea could be open to. A temporary deal would give Garnacho a chance to rediscover his best form away from the bright lights of the Premier League.

The youngster has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad as they lifted the 2024 Copa America. However, Garnacho has never lived in the country and qualifies through his mother, having been born and raised in Madrid.

It’s a disappointing illustration of where his prospects stand today. Enzo Maresca was in charge at Stamford Bridge when Garnacho moved to west London last year and the Italian appeared to be a big fan of the player.

However, Rosenior hasn’t proved as receptive and initially benched Garnacho in his Premier League commitments. Most of the winger’s greatest impacts this season have come in cup competitions, including a brace off the bench during their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals.

His output in league play hasn’t been nearly as prolific, with one goal and four assists from 20 appearances this season. Garnacho is contracted at Chelsea until the summer of 2032, however, leaving plenty of time to resurrect his profile to its former heights.

The downside of that is the Blues yet again leave themselves at risk of paying a depreciating asset on incredibly long terms. Garnacho is among the more median earners at Stamford Bridge on a wage of £110,000 a week, though that would still present a major obstacle for River Plate.

As such, Chelsea would be expected to at least cover a significant portion of the player’s salary while he was on loan. Furthermore, Garnacho has previously commented on the fact his family supports Boca Juniors, River Plate’s fiercest nemeses.

There’s no chance Los Millonarios would be able to compete for Garnacho’s signature on any permanent terms unless Chelsea took a massive loss. United have a vested interest in the player increasing his value, too, given they’re entitled to 10 per cent of any future fee Chelsea receive.

Up to 70% off Man United kits and merch

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Various Prices

Fanatics

Buy Now on Fanatics

Fanatics has slashed the price of Man United kits and merch with up to 70% off select items.

Daniel Farke says Leeds are ‘for sure’ the ‘underdogs’ in their FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea, but his side will be ‘greedy’ for victory when they take to the field at Wembley later this month.

Leeds secured their spot in the last four of the cup for the first time in 39 years thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win over West Ham at the London Stadium.

It was a pulsating contest in the capital, with Farke’s men seemingly cruising after Calvert-Lewin had doubled the visitors’ lead from the spot following Ao Tanaka’s opener.

But there was an almighty momentum shift as Mateus Fernandes reduced the deficit in the third minute of stoppage time after scores of Hammers supporters had already left the stadium in frustration.

Axel Disasi equalised just moments later to put West Ham firmly in the ascendancy heading into extra-time, only for Leeds to prevail on penalties after the two teams could not be separated.

Lucas Perri was the hero for Leeds, making two big saves in a nerve-shredding shootout, to help send his team just two wins away from the famous trophy.

A day earlier, Chelsea ensured they advanced through with an emphatic 7-0 thrashing of League One outfit Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.

In this year’s other semi-final, Manchester City will lock horns with Southampton, who stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal to seal their spot at Wembley.

‘We will be the underdog, that’s for sure,’ Farke told BBC Sport when asked for his reaction to the draw shortly after Leeds’ dramatic victory over West Ham.

‘It’s a big name and a side full of top players. For that we are the underdog but we have written history.

‘Nobody expected us to go though to the semi-final. And of course we are greedy to go to the next step.

‘My focus now is on the Premier League. We are on such a good path and want to make sure we can celebrate there.’

Speaking to TNT Sports, Calvert-Lewin said he and the rest of Leeds’ squad would be ready and prepared for a ‘difficult’ test against Chelsea under the Wembley arch.

‘It’s always going to be a difficult match against Chelsea,’ the Leeds and England striker said.

‘They’re a good side, but it’s the FA Cup, we’re going to Wembley. Excited.

‘I’ve never had the opportunity to play at Wembley for at club level before, so for me it was a big chance today.

‘When it went to 2-2, I thought maybe it’s not meant to be, but thankfully, we stuck in there and got the win.’

When will the FA Cup semi-finals and final be played?

The two semi-final ties will take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at Wembley.

The two winning teams will return to the stadium for this year’s final on May 16.

Asked what Leeds manager had Farke told the squad before extra-time, Calvert-Lewin explained: ‘I think they started overloading out wide and it was the basics of football, defending crosses and stopping crosses, which we didn’t do very well.

‘And you’ve got to be prepared for them to come forward and get themselves back in the game, and I think we just let ourselves down with that.

‘They had momentum and we managed to hold out and win on penalties.

‘I had a good feeling, particularly before I came on, that there was going to be chances to make an impact. And when you’re on the pitch and they’ve got the ball and I’m up front in position, all I’m thinking about is I hope they don’t score.

‘I wasn’t really thinking about the neutral. I was focused on scoring and stopping them from scoring.’

On his spot-kick to make it 2-0 against the Irons, Calvert-Lewin said: ‘Just basics, I did what I always do.

‘It’s no secret that I missed my last one against [Crystal] Palace away, so it was a big moment for me to make sure I put it away properly. And I’ve been practicing in training just drilling it.

‘When you miss one you want to go through your processes again and I have a process and I knew where I was going this time and put it away.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Chelsea make breakthrough and close in on transfer deal for ex-Premier League defender

MORE: Mikel Arteta urged to drop ‘world-class’ Arsenal star for £42m teammate

MORE: Arsenal told they will need ‘Chelsea help’ to win Premier League title

Manchester City will return to Wembley later this month for the FA Cup semi-final

Manchester City will face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final later this month. The Blues will take on the Saints at Wembley on either Saturday, April 25 or Sunday, April 26.

Southampton dramatically knocked out Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday night, beating Mikel Arteta’s side 2-1 in arguably one of the shocks of the competition so far.

Ross Stewart opened the scoring ten minutes before half-time with Viktor Gyokeres equalising for Arsenal with 22 minutes left to play. Former City youngster Shea Charles netted a dramatic winner five minutes from time, though, to deal Arsenal back-to-back cup blows after Pep Guardiola’s men beat them in the Carabao Cup final before the international break.

City, meanwhile, booked their place in the last four after a comfortable victory over Liverpool on Saturday. Erling Haaland opened the scoring from the spot after Nico O’Reilly was fouled by Virgil van Dijk.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

On the stroke of half-time City doubled their lead as Antoine Semenyo’s cross was headed in by Haaland. Semenyo added his name to the scoresheet shortly after the break to seal the victory, and there was still time for Haaland to complete his hat-trick as he tapped in O’Reilly’s low cross to make it 4-0.

The Blues are now favourites to win the FA Cup after Premier League leaders Arsenal were knocked out on Saturday night. City remain in the hunt for a domestic treble.

Having already won the Carabao Cup, the Blues need to eat up a nine-point gap to leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race. City have a game in hand on the Gunners and will host them in a couple of weeks in a potentially title-deciding game.

The lineup for the semi-finals of the FA Cup was confirmed after Leeds United’s dramatic penalty shootout win at West Ham United on Sunday Afternoon. After City dispatched of Liverpool on Saturday, Chelsea and Southampton beat Port Vale and Arsenal respectively.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the draw for this season’s FA Cup semi-finals. Manchester City are here again, having reached eight consecutive semi-finals in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.

Pep Guardiola’s team have an excellent record in the last four – having not lost an FA Cup semi since 2022. The team that beat them on that occasion, Liverpool, were well beaten by the Blues on Saturday and after Arsenal’s shock exit yesterday – City will fancy their chances of another trophy.

Keep up to date with all the latest in our live blog throughout the afternoon and evening to discover who plays who in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month.

Former Chelsea star Tony Cascerino fears Arsenal will need a helping hand from his old side if they are to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.

The Gunners remain in a commanding position given they hold a nine-point lead, albeit having played a game more, but successive cup defeats has put an entirely different complexion on the run-in.

Mikel Arteta had hoped that the Carabao Cup final would provide an opportunity to end a six-year silverware trophy doubts but a 2-0 loss has instead seen fresh doubts creep in and provided City with fresh impetus.

Pep Guardiola’s side turn in an ominous display against Liverpool on Saturday, romping to a 4-0 win, and would have taken fresh belief from the way in which a disjointed Arsenal team saw their FA Cup hopes go up in smoke against Southampton.

Arsenal are back in Champions League action in midweek against Sporting Lisbon before they resume their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth at home on Saturday lunchtime.

A win there would see them extend their lead, temporarily at least to 12 points, before City face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 24 hours later.

With Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad also on the horizon, Cascarino believes extgending their current lead this coming weekend could prove to be essential if the north London club are to finally end their wait for the title.

He told talkSPORT: ‘I would say if you ask me today and Arsenal have to go to the Etihad and get a victory, I think City will beat them.

‘I think eight out 10 times at the moment City would beat Arsenal.

‘I think it’s really important that Chelsea who City play next away that Chelsea get some sort of result for Arsenal.

‘I think they need a bit more help from other teams. I don’t see Arsenal winning every game, I just don’t.

‘I think all Arsenal fans will be shell-shocked today at what they’ve witnessed. There a good side, we know they are.

‘They’ve led the way all season but for this period of the season to then look vulnerable that would be a concern.’

After talk of a quadruple gathered pace last month, Arsenal are now contemplating the unthinkable and another trophyless season following the upset at St Mary’s.

‘We have the most important period in both competitions ahead of us, and it’s now the moment when you have a difficult moment in the season, to show what we are made of – and it is now we have to show who we are,’ said Arteta after Shea Charles’ late goal condemned his side to back-to-back defeat for the first time this term.

‘Obviously, we’re very disappointed. We wanted to get back to Wembley as quickly as possible, and we haven’t managed to do that – so first of all, congratulations to Southampton for being there.

‘The game had moments, we had moments, where we had a lot of dominance from our side, and chances, and situations in and around the box that we didn’t capitalise on enough.

‘And then we have to accept we were poor in and around our box defending situations that normally we are excellent at. We paid the price.’

MORE: Micah Richards slams Mikel Arteta decision after Arsenal’s FA Cup exit

MORE: Mikel Arteta told one Arsenal star should have ‘changed his mind’ after Southampton defeat

MORE: ‘Real shame’ – Concern for Chelsea as £52m signing suffers new injury

Dietmar Hamann has described Nick Woltemade’s struggles at Newcastle United as ‘remarkable’ and says it has presented Eddie Howe with a ‘really tricky situation’.

Newcastle completed a £69m move for Germany international Woltemade after begrudgingly selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool for over £120m.

Woltemade had a decent record for his former club Wolfsburg – scoring 18 goals in 36 games – but it was suggested in Germany that Newcastle had overpaid for the striker.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a bright start to his St James’ Park career, however, scoring six goals before the start of November and impressing with his all-round play.

But Woltemade’s contributions began to fall away over the winter period and the German has now scored just once in his last 22 appearances in all competitions.

The towering forward has even been used slightly deeper by an increasingly desperate Howe but Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has dismissed the notion he can play in midfield.

Hamann insists his compatriot’s drop-off is ‘very strange’ and has raised the possibility that Woltemade will now be sold after just one season.

‘I couldn’t believe the developments in the last few weeks and months regarding Nick Woltemade,’ Hamann told BoyleSports.

‘There was a story in one of the German papers that he hasn’t settled in the North-east, which I personally think is a paradise for a footballer, because if you’ve got a bit of success, they treat you as a hero. 

‘He had a great start and was adored by the faithful, adored by the fans. It’s obviously a very strange situation because if you had told me this after six or eight weeks, where he scored a few goals, I would have said he’s going places and he’ll be one who might be there for a few years, who is loved and adored by the people.

‘To have the turnaround now in a short space of time is really remarkable. What you hear and what you see probably makes me think that there might be a summer exit, which is obviously not a good situation for the club because they paid an awful lot of money.

‘Do you force him to stay here? Is that a good solution? And who’s going to pay the money for him now?

‘So, yeah, I think it’s a really tricky situation for both of them, for both parties, but especially for the club.’

If Newcastle do end up selling Woltemade, Hamann believes former Manchester United and Chelsea transfer target Victor Osimhen would be the ‘perfect’ replacement.

Osimhen has scored an impressive 56 goals in 70 games since joining Galatasaray in 2024 and helped Napoli win the Serie A title before his move to Turkey.

‘I think Victor Osimhen is one of the top five centre forwards in Europe,’ ex-Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City and Bayern Munich midfielder Hamann added.

‘I couldn’t believe that he ended up in Turkey. Obviously, Napoli paid an awful lot of money for him, but I’m very surprised that none of the English teams signed him, because they all struggled for centre forwards in the summer.

‘They tried for players like Benjamin Sesko, and other players who have come in are only just starting to adapt now because they obviously needed some time.

‘I think he’s an outstanding player and I think he’s probably the reason why Galatasaray is doing well in the league.

‘I love watching him and I think, if he were to play in the Premier League, there are teams he would make much better.

‘Obviously, Liverpool have got two players there now, so he won’t end up there, but he’s an outstanding player. He’s got pace, he’s got power, he can finish, a wonderful player.

‘If Newcastle do sell Nick Woltemade, he could be the perfect fit.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Micah Richards claims Arsenal would ‘absolutely batter’ Champions League giants

MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai angers Liverpool fans with gesture after Manchester City defeat in FA Cup

MORE: Manchester United make approach to sign £70m Everton star after two failed bids

The FA Cup returns this weekend with eight teams competing for a place in the semi-final at Wembley later this month.

Manchester City and Liverpool kick off the action with their tie at the Etihad Stadium at 12:45pm on Saturday.

Chelsea are next up as they host League One side Port Vale at Stamford Bridge at 5:15pm before Southampton host Premier League leaders Arsenal at St Mary’s at 8pm.

In the only FA Cup tie held on Sunday, West Ham play Leeds United at the London Stadium at 4:30pm.

When is the FA Cup semi-final draw?

The FA Cup semi-final draw will be held on Sunday, April 5, after West Ham’s quarter-final tie against Leeds United at the London Stadium.

The match kicks off at 4.30pm and the draw will take place approximately 15 minutes after full-time.

How to watch the FA Cup draw on TV and live stream

The draw will be available for fans to watch on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.

The draw will also be streamed live for free on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.

When will the semi-final games be played?

The two semi-final ties will take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at Wembley.

Are there replays in the FA Cup this year?

Replays are not in use in any of the full rounds of this season’s FA Cup.

The FA scrapped replays from the first round onwards in last year’s competition and that has continued into the 2025/26 campaign.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Chelsea vs Port Vale: FA Cup predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

MORE: Xavi reveals he told Barcelona to sign £60m Arsenal star as replacement for club legend

MORE: £130m former Premier League star told to snub Arsenal and join Chelsea instead

Ally McCoist believes Julian Alvarez has a straightforward decision to make this summer when it comes to choosing his next club.

The Argentina international already has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt having played a key role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign.

Disenchanted at the prospect of continuing to play second fiddle to Erling Haaland, however, the 26-year-old joined Atletico Madrid two years ago where he has continued to enhance his reputation as one of world football’s most complete forwards.

The Spanish side are reluctant to lose one of their prize assets this summer but manager Diego Simeone left the door ajar when asked about Alvarez’s future after his devastating display in the Champions League win over Tottenham.

‘He looks happy to me,’ Simeone said. ‘He’s scoring goals, if you look at the teams he’s been at [River Plate and Man City], Atletico is the team where he’s scored the most goals.

‘He looks committed, positive. There isn’t much difference between this season and last season in terms of the goals he’s scored.

‘Let’s hope he can stay for many years at Atletico Madrid, and we can keep building a team so that important players want to stay.’

Asked whether he would be at Atletico next season, Alvarez, meanwhile, said: ‘I don’t know, I might be, or I might not. I’m happy. I’m thinking about the day to day.’

Despite Atletico’s stance and their £129million valuation, the Premier League giants continue to circle ahead of what is likely to be an intense transfer tug of war.

Arsenal and Chelsea are both reported to have registered an interest but McCoist feels Alvarez should snub the champions-elect and opt for their west London rivals where he could be almost guaranteed a starting spot.

He told talkSPORT Bet Casino: ‘Oh, without a doubt. I think he’s got a better chance of playing more regularly at Chelsea, to tell you the truth, than he would at Arsenal. The squad at Arsenal is phenomenal. 

‘They’re playing Kai Havertz, sometimes as a false nine, Gabriel Jesus is through the middle, and Leandro Trossard has played there.

‘Alvarez is a real talent. As I say, it would surprise me to see him coming back. But in terms of where he went, I think he’d probably get more game time.

‘And you know something? Chelsea might appeal to him because of that, because of those factors you’ve mentioned, particularly the one about a young side with a lot of potential. 

‘If he came to Arsenal, they still haven’t got over the line at this moment in time.

‘I think they will, and I think they will in a couple of years, but it’s a big six weeks coming up for Arsenal, there’s no doubt. You look at the size of Arsenal’s squad, it’s absolutely massive.

‘So, he’s probably got a better chance of getting more regular playing time with Chelsea.’

MORE: Gareth Bale backs ‘genius’ former Chelsea manager to replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd

MORE: Another Chelsea star drops transfer bombshell with latest Real Madrid claim

MORE: Paul Merson convinced Chelsea star has already handed in transfer request

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will miss his team’s next two matches, including the Premier League clash with Manchester City

Liam Rosenior says Enzo Fernandez will not play in Chelsea’s next two matches because of comments he made about his future and links with Real Madrid. The midfielder threw his future at Stamford Bridge into question during the international break, hinting at a possible departure in the summer transfer window.

Rosenior’s side are in turmoil, having lost their last four matches across all four competitions – crashing out of the Champions League and facing a battle to qualify for next season’s competition. While they have a kind FA Cup draw on paper against League One strugglers Port Vale, the west London side then face a daunting league clash at home to Manchester City on Sunday, April 12.

And speaking to journalists at Cobham on Friday morning, the Chelsea manager revealed Fernandez will miss the FA Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday against Vale and next Sunday’s Premier League clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

He said: “Yes, we spoke with Enzo an hour ago. As a football club, with me as part of that process, we’ve made a decision.

“He won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City on Sunday. I think for Enzo, it’s disappointing to speak in that way.

“What I will say about Enzo is in terms of him as a character, as a person, I’ve got no bad words to say about him. But I think a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.

“So we had to make a sanction and that was a decision we’ve made.

Fernandez continues to be linked with a transfer to Real Madrid after admitting he would like to live in the Spanish capital. The Chelsea star has regularly been asked about joining Los Blancos in the future, with his latest admission a telling one.

Speaking on a Kick stream with Marcos Giles, he said: “I’d like to experience, I don’t know, live there. I really like Madrid, it reminds me a lot of Buenos Aires.”

It was then presented to Fernandez that he “could go to Getafe or Rayo Vallecano… there’s also Atletico Madrid.”

Though Real was not directly mentioned, the point was quite clear to those on the stream, including Fernandez, who smiled after that statement.