Ex-Man Utd midfielder ‘set to complete’ £16m transfer to Champions League rival

Former Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabizter is on the verge of joining Borussia Dortmund, according to reports.

The 29-year-old spent the second half of 2022/23 on loan at Old Trafford and played 18 times, with his stint in Manchester cut short by injury. Sabitzer was linked with a permanent return to United this summer but, as per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, United decided against a move, which paved the way for a switch to Dortmund.

Plettenberg adds Dortmund and Bayern Munich haveagreed a €19m (£16.4m) fee for the Austrian international, who has been filmed arriving at Dortmund's training base ahead of his move being confirmed. Once Sabitzer’s signing is announced, he will jet out to the USA where he will meet up with his Dortmund team-mates.

Sabitzer spent two seasons at Bayern but struggled to establish his place in the starting XI during that time. The midfielder’s first match for Dortmund could actually come against United, with the sides set to meet in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on 31 July.

The Red Devils began their US tour on Saturday as they beat Arsenal 2-0 in New Jersey, thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho. United face Wrexham next, although that team will largely be made up of Under-21s players. Erik ten Hag’s senior side then take on Real Madrid on Thursday, before facing Dortmund next week in their final match in the States.

Sabitzer’s arrival at Dortmund will provide a replacement for Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud, who departed the club this summer. Dortmund could meet United again this season with both sides in the Champions League, however that won’t be possible in the group stages as the clubs have been placed in Pot Two ahead of August’s draw.