Borussia Dortmund make Jadon Sancho squad number decision with Manchester United move 'increasingly unlikely'

Borussia Dortmund have reassigned Jadon Sancho's shirt number with the Manchester United forward 'increasingly unlikely' to return to the Bundesliga club this summer.

Dortmund have been interested in taking Sancho back for the second time following his loan move in the January transfer window, but have always been unlikely to match United's valuation of the forward.

It is understood United have put a £40 million price-tag on Sancho this summer, but would be willing to let him leave on an initial loan again if it included an obligation to buy him at the end of it.

Even that looks unlikely for Dortmund though, and they have since announced Julian Brandt will inherit the No. 10 shirt that Sancho wore during his loan-spell with them last season.

The No. 10 is one of the most iconic in Dortmund history, having been worn by the likes of Mario Götze, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Tomas Rosicky, Lars Ricken, and Andreas Möller."It came about because Jadon's loan has ended. I had a conversation with Sebastian Kehl about this number years ago. It didn't happen back then for reasons, but we've made up for it now," Brandt said.

"I've been at the club for a few years now and I'm looking forward to it. This [number] has a certain mystique about it."

United's preference is still to help Sancho find a new club this window with Juventus and Barcelona two of the clubs linked with a move, while reports in Germany have labelled Dortmund increasingly unlikely to seal a deal.