Jadon Sancho has indicated an openness to a third spell at Borussia Dortmund once his Manchester United contract expires this summer. Sky Sport Germany reports Sancho has “communicated his willingness” to return to the club where he enjoyed his most productive years and where, on a short-term loan, he helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final in 2024.

Dortmund had shown interest last summer but ultimately judged the move too costly. Sancho instead moved on from United, spending 2024–25 on loan at Chelsea before joining Aston Villa, and this season he has mainly been used as a backup option.

Sancho’s best period remains his first Dortmund spell, aged 17 to 21, when he emerged as a potent threat from both flanks. The compiled season record in the original report underlines that output across his early Dortmund seasons and subsequent spells (including detailed goals and assists totals from 2017–18 through the ongoing 2025–26 season at Aston Villa).

According to the Sky Germany piece, talks have included “specific financial details” and Sancho has expressed a preference for Dortmund ahead of a “multitude” of alternatives. Manager Niko Kovač is reportedly supportive, but the decision will rest with managing director Lars Ricken and sporting director Ole Book.

Staying at Aston Villa remains a possibility. When asked in February, Unai Emery said: “Hopefully he can help us by increasing his qualities in our structure like he is doing,” Emery said at the time. “He will need another contract, and maybe it could be here. If he plays his best football, we will want him. But other teams could also be involved in the interest for him.” Any Villa continuation would depend on contract terms and how well Sancho fits the club’s structure.

Other potential destinations mentioned include Turkish sides such as Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe, Napoli and AC Milan, as well as a more unlikely Watford homecoming. The report notes the risks and rewards of those options and concludes Sancho, still only 26, needs a clear reset to revive his career.

With a cluster of important matches over the next month, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea all face schedules that could determine the final Premier League places for next season’s Champions League.

Current standings make the contest tight. Man Utd sit on 58 points, Aston Villa have 55, Liverpool 52 and Chelsea 48. Chelsea have just one win in their last eight league matches, and the four-point gap between Chelsea and the fifth-place Reds could increase to seven within 24 hours.

United return home to take on Brentford next before welcoming Liverpool to Old Trafford. A trip to the Stadium of Light follows and United conclude their home fixtures with relegation-battling Nott’m Forest. By the time Carrick’s men face Brighton on the final matchday, the club expect their Champions League place to be wrapped up.

Aston Villa are no longer part of the title conversation but remain on course to match their best finish of the 21st century if they take care of business. Fixtures against Sunderland and Fulham should be straightforward on paper, then in May Unai Emery’s side meet Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley. Villa finish with Liverpool at home and an away trip to Man City, and could still influence the title picture on the final day.

Liverpool face a more testing run. The Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium comes first, followed by Crystal Palace. The Reds then travel to Old Trafford before hosting Chelsea and later visit Villa Park, where they have not won in four years. Brentford are Liverpool’s final opponents, a match that could be nervy if a win is required to secure Europe.

Chelsea need near-perfect results to climb back into the top five, starting with matches against Brighton and Nott’m Forest. For the defending Club World Cup champions, the next month will be decisive in whether they can salvage a Champions League challenge.

A turbulent weekend at the top of the table has intensified the fight for Champions League qualification. This season the usual top-four contest has become a top-five race after English clubs’ European form secured an extra Champions League berth.

Current league positions are Man Utd 55 points, Aston Villa 55, Liverpool 52 and Chelsea 48. Over the next six weeks those totals and the head-to-head schedule will be decisive.

There are multiple meetings among the four contenders across the remaining fixtures, meaning none can be discounted. Chelsea will place huge importance on the upcoming home match against United. They also travel to Anfield on May 9. Only four points separate Chelsea and Liverpool at present and neither side is likely to enjoy a perfect run to that meeting, which leaves the door open for the Blues with a victory.

For Liverpool, May starts away at United and includes the visit from Chelsea and a trip to Aston Villa. The draft notes that “Three victories would likely seal a spot in the Champions League for Arne Slot’s side, but three defeats could easily have the opposite effect.”

Aston Villa’s immediate run looks comparatively favourable. The club will back itself against Sunderland, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley in the next four matches and aim to build a cushion before a tougher finish. Villa host Liverpool on the penultimate weekend and finish away to Manchester City, a fixture that is hard to predict. The draft adds that, “Given the current state of the title race, it might be a must-win for the Cityzens, but if their hopes of catching Arsenal are already dead by that point, heads may already be on beaches by the time Villa come to town.”

United, already in a strong position, understand their European aspirations hinge on the next three games. The draft states that victory over Chelsea would have major consequences: “victory over Chelsea would effectively seal a spot in the Champions League, given the gap down to the Blues would be a whopping 10 points.”

Across April and May there are fixtures listed that include matches against Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton, Brentford, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Manchester City. Those dates and meetings will determine how the top five look at the end of the season.