Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre believes Jadon Sancho has become unsettled at the club following links with a move to Manchester United over the summer.
The 20-year-old was a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's outfit throughout the most recent transfer window but the Red Devils baulked at the £108million asking price demanded by the German outfit.
Dortmund had given United a deadline of August 10 to complete a deal in a bid to end the transfer saga, but Sancho was still constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford right up until the window closed earlier in October.
So far this term, Sancho has only scored once in six matches, that goal coming in a German Cup hammering of Duisberg, and Favre believes the summer transfer saga may have had an impact on the forward's slow start to the season.
'Every player has slow periods. There was a lot of talk about Jadon during the summer - something like that can be a factor, 'he said when quizzed over Sancho's form.
Sancho has also failed to shine while on duty with England this term and was involved in a Covid-19 breach during his most recent call-up when he was caught attending a party in the run-up to international fixtures.
Dortmund have been able to still make a bright start in the Bundesliga by winning four of their opening five games but find themselves on the back foot in the Champions League after losing to Lazio in their opening encounter.
Favre though is not putting any pressure on Sancho to step up his game, claiming dips in form are inevitable, ahead of his side's next European tie against Zenit.
'No player is consistently in top form for an entire year, that's impossible. You have to accept that,' added Favre.
United though have not given up hope of signing Sancho, and may also pounce for another Dortmund star in Erling Haaland in addition as they plot a possible £176million raid of the Bundesliga side.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com