Jadon Sancho is reportedly prepared to remain without a club until January rather than rush into the wrong move after hopes of returning to Borussia Dortmund suffered a major setback.
The 26-year-old has been a free agent since his Manchester United contract expired during the summer.
Despite holding discussions over potential moves to Europe, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Major League Soccer, Sancho has not received an offer he considers suitable.
TEAMtalk reports that the winger’s priority is finding the right sporting project, even if that means spending the remainder of 2026 without a club.
Dortmund return reaches dead end
Sancho was particularly interested in returning to Dortmund, where he produced the best football of his career before joining United for £73million in 2021.
He scored 50 goals and contributed 64 assists in 137 appearances during his first spell with the Bundesliga club.
Sancho also returned to Dortmund on loan during the second half of the 2023/24 season and helped them reach the Champions League final.
However, Dortmund are not currently planning another reunion after strengthening their attacking options by signing Arsenal teenager Ethan Nwaneri on loan.
Head coach Niko Kovač is reportedly an admirer of Sancho, but the club have shown no indication that they intend to offer him a contract.
The decision has forced Sancho and his representatives to consider alternative destinations.
Talks held across several leagues
TEAMtalk claims Sancho has spoken to numerous clubs in recent months, including teams from Germany, France and Spain.
Saudi Pro League and MLS clubs have also explored a possible deal, while interest has emerged from Qatar and the UAE.
Cesc Fàbregas’s Como reportedly considered signing the former England international, but those discussions have not progressed towards an agreement.
Sancho was also linked with Russian Premier League side Krasnodar. Reports initially suggested he had been offered to the club and was open to the move.
However, TEAMtalk’s sources claim the discussions were initiated by intermediaries rather than Sancho’s representatives and that the winger was not seriously considering moving to Russia.
No negotiations with any interested club are currently understood to be sufficiently advanced.
Sancho keeps fit with non-league club
Sancho has been training at the facilities of Flixton FC, a club playing in the 10th tier of English football, while waiting for his next opportunity.
Flixton clarified that the winger was not on trial or negotiating to join the club but was using its facilities to maintain his fitness.
The former Manchester City academy player spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, making 39 appearances across all competitions.
His spell at Villa followed previous loans with Dortmund and Chelsea as his Manchester United career gradually came to an end.
United confirmed that Sancho’s contract had expired during the summer, bringing his five-year association with the club to a close.
As a free agent, Sancho is permitted to sign for another club outside the transfer window. Waiting until January would therefore be a personal career decision rather than a requirement under transfer regulations.
His representatives are prepared to remain patient in the hope that injuries, managerial changes or revised recruitment plans create a more attractive opportunity during the winter.
