Former Arsenal scout opens up on failed Sancho, Pulisic moves

James Holland
Jadon Sancho Arsenal

Former Arsenal scout Steve Morrow has opened up on the club’s failed moves for Jadon Sancho and Christian Pulisic.

Sancho is lighting up the Bundesliga after moving from Man City in August 2017.

He’s registered 46 goals and 60 assists for Dortmund, causing plenty of interest from Man Utd.


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Christian Pulisic left Dortmund to sign for Chelsea in January 2019 for a £57million fee.

He’s enjoyed less success this season but is expected to improve under German boss Thomas Tuchel.

Speaking about the club’s past scouting ventures, Morrow told Goal: “Every top club will say there were near misses.

“Jadon Sancho was certainly one of those. We missed out on him once when he moved from Watford and went up to Man City, and then again when he reached that age at City when young players have a choice to make.

“Jadon felt that his future was away from Manchester and we were very, very close to signing him, but the family felt at the time that the best opportunity for him was at Dortmund and off he went.”

When asked about Pulisic, he continued: “Through our connections in the United States, Christian was one that I actually had over at London Colney as a 14-year-old.

“He came in and did quite well, but he was small and underdeveloped physically when he came to us.

“I did see his potential but he was certainly behind physically in terms of the same age group with our boys.

“I wanted to bring him back again, but it just didn’t work out and he went to Germany unfortunately.”

Another future star that Arsenal missed out on was Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

Morrow explained Bellingham’s situation when leaving Birmingham City: “When he came to the end of his contract at Birmingham and was debating whether to stay there and sign a scholarship or move somewhere else, we were very close to that one as well.

“But sometimes it just doesn’t happen and you have to accept it.”

Despite the failures, Arsenal have enjoyed success this season with their academy graduates.

Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have become regular performers under manager Mikel Arteta.