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.

With six Premier League fixtures remaining, the race for Champions League qualification carries an unusual twist tied to Aston Villa’s progress in the Europa League. Villa’s European campaign has been consistent even as their domestic form has fluctuated. They eliminated Bologna, beating the Serie A side 7–1 on aggregate in the Europa League quarterfinals, and now face Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals.

Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini offered a stark assessment after the tie: “When you face such a strong team, you take your hat off and applaud,” and “They’ll definitely win the Europa League.” That outcome would have direct consequences for Premier League clubs chasing the top four.

England has secured an extra Champions League place this season thanks to English sides’ performances in Europe, so normally the top four qualify and a fifth spot exists. Liverpool currently occupy that fifth position, with Chelsea four points behind. Villa sit above Liverpool by three points and are seven points clear of Chelsea.

The permutations are straightforward. If Villa win the Europa League they will take a Champions League place through that route regardless of their league finish. If Villa also finish fourth, England’s allocation remains unchanged. If Villa finish fifth while also winning the Europa League, the additional European Performance Spot would drop down to sixth. At present that would benefit Chelsea.

Liverpool know the margins are small. The two clubs meet on May 17 in the penultimate round, a fixture that could prove decisive. Despite the turmoil engulfing Anfield this season, Liverpool boast a superior goal difference. If Arne Slot’s side win their remaining six games, they will finish fourth at the very least. Even matching Villa’s results and claiming victory over the Villans next month would secure their position.

Villa are unlikely to fall to sixth, but a slide to fifth remains possible in a season defined by fine margins. That uncertainty is why Chelsea and Liverpool may find themselves unusually invested in Villa’s Europa League journey.