Jadon Sancho and Serie A: is now finally the right time? The rise and fall of a former wonderkid

When Jadon Sancho first burst onto the scene, he looked destined for the very top. Nicknamed "The Rocket" for his blistering pace, the London-born winger became one of the brightest young stars in European football during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

Having come through the academies of Watford and Manchester City, Sancho was among the first English youngsters to head to Germany in search of first-team football as Bundesliga clubs began targeting the best talent emerging from Premier League academies. Signed for just €8m, he had already been named by The Guardian as one of the world's most exciting young prospects.

His impact was immediate. Goals, assists and standout performances followed, while he also marked his Champions League debut with a goal. Over the next three seasons he established himself as one of Europe's most exciting attackers, earning a big-money move to Manchester United.

Manchester United nightmare before Dortmund revival
United paid €68m to bring Sancho back to England, and he even scored against Liverpool early in his spell, raising hopes that he would become one of the club's new stars. Instead, his career stalled. Like several talented players before him, Sancho struggled to establish himself at Old Trafford. His relationship with the club deteriorated to the point where he was frozen out of the first-team squad following a public dispute with manager Erik ten Hag.

A return to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January 2024 offered him the chance to rebuild his career. The German club paid around €4m for the temporary deal, and Sancho responded with an impressive second half of the season, helping Dortmund reach the Champions League final, where they were beaten by Real Madrid.

Could Serie A be next?
The past two seasons have been defined by uncertainty. Loan spells at Chelsea and Aston Villa failed to provide the fresh start he was looking for, and his long-term future remains unresolved. Sancho is no longer the teenage sensation who lit up the Bundesliga. At 27, he finds himself at a crossroads in his career. A move to Serie A came close a year ago, but his salary demands remained more in line with those of a global superstar than a player looking to rediscover his best form. That could now be the biggest obstacle. If Sancho is prepared to lower his wage expectations, several Italian clubs - Fiorentina among them - would welcome the opportunity to offer him a fresh start.