Borussia Dortmund enter “massive bidding war” for another United star after holding talks to sign Sancho – report

Borussia Dortmund are plotting a double raid on Manchester United attackers this summer after a new report revealed the German club are interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee. The Sinking Dutchman Zirkzee is increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season after two years of misery in England. The Netherlands international was signed from Bologna for £36.5 million in 2024 after a superb campaign in Italy, which saw him win Serie A’s Young Player of the Year as he helped propel I Rossoblù to Champions League qualification for the first time in their history. A host of clubs across Europe, including AC Milan and Arsenal, were interested in securing his signature. However, it was United who moved most aggressively, agreeing to pay slightly beyond his release clause at the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium to strike a deal. But the move has proven a mistake for both parties, with Zirkzee joining a long line of unsuccessful imports from Italian football, who simply have proven incapable of adapting to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. The 24-year-old forward, a hybrid between a No.9 and a No.10, lacks the effectiveness to thrive in either role. Put simply, he has not contributed enough in his admittedly limited opportunities, returning just two goals and a solitary assist this season, to justify a place up top for a club the size of United. Joshua Zirkzee Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsSecond Yellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League184211–510′ FA Cup10—–28′ EFL Cup10–1–8′ Total204212–546′ Nonetheless, the Dutchman retains admirers in the league he once dominated, with Serie A rivals Atalanta, AS Roma, Como, Juventus and Napoli all wanting to bring him back to Italy. Both Roma and Juve made advances in January, but were ultimately rebuffed by INEOS for fear of weakening Michael Carrick’s squad in the hunt for the top four. Interest from Germany Now, two German clubs, Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, have also joined the race, with Die Schwarzgelben also eyeing a free transfer to sign United flop Jadon Sancho once the 26-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season. Were the English winger to return to the Signal Iduna Park, it would mark his third spell at the Bundesliga giant, having joined United from Dortmund for £73 million in 2021 before spending the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan there after a fallout with Erik ten Hag. He is currently on a season-long loan at Aston Villa. But Caught Offside reveals Leverkusen are also in the running for Zirkzee, with both clubs “closely monitoring his situation” ahead of a potential summer swoop. The report confirms United are prepared to cut their losses, which has “immediately sparked a massive bidding war” in both Germany and Italy. A report relayed by The Peoples Person even contends Premier League sides considered entering the race in the winter window, adding another possible twist in the tale ahead of the summer. Final Thoughts United will be unlikely to miss Zirkzee should he depart, while Sancho is a player who should never be permitted to step foot inside Old Trafford again. If both misfiring attackers were to end up in the yellow and black of Dortmund, playing in a league which affords more time and space in the opposition half, it would prove an astute choice to help get either of their stalling careers back on track. Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.