Winger Jadon Sancho joined Chelsea on loan last August with a £20m–£25m buy clause contingent on Chelsea finishing 14th or higher in the Premier League—a threshold they are likely to meet, sitting fourth and 15 points clear of 14th-place Tottenham.
Chelsea could trigger a termination clause to avoid the permanent transfer, but would need to repay United £6.15m in subsidized wages (half of Sancho’s £300k/week salary over 41 weeks) plus an unspecified additional fee.
Sancho has scored two goals in 29 games for Chelsea, with no goals or assists in his last 19 appearances. His erratic form contrasts with early-season promise, contributing to doubts about his long-term value.
Chelsea have agreed to sign Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP) and secured Estevao Willian (Palmeiras), reducing reliance on Sancho. Sources suggest the club is “thinking twice” about retaining him.Sancho, a £73m signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, fell out with former United manager Erik ten Hag and spent time on loan at Dortmund before joining Chelsea. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe highlighted Sancho’s inclusion among “big earners” unavailable to manager Ruben Amorim, emphasizing the club’s need to offload him to fund summer transfers.
While Fabrizio Romano initially stated Chelsea’s “clear intention” to retain Sancho, recent reports indicate a shift in stance. Romano clarified that “it’s the reality” Chelsea could cancel the deal but noted United’s reluctance to take him back. Critics argue paying to exit the obligation would reflect “monumental incompetence” from Chelsea’s sporting directors.Chelsea’s decision hinges on balancing financial penalties against Sancho’s diminishing on-field impact. With Champions League qualification likely secured, the club may prioritize newer signings over a player whose form has stagnated. United, meanwhile, risk losing a critical revenue stream if the deal collapses, complicating their summer rebuild.