Jadon Sancho was one of the Manchester United stars singled out by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who revealed that the Old Trafford flop will cost the club another £17million this summer even though he is now playing on loan at Chelsea.
Sancho’s move to Stamford Bridge includes an obligation for Chelsea to buy him at the end of the season if they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League for a fee of between £22-25m based on their final position. Enzo Maresca’s side are currently in fourth, 15 points ahead of the team in 14th which is ironically United.
However, Confidential has learned there is still a possibility that Sancho could end up back at Old Trafford this summer if Chelsea decide not to go through with the deal – although we can reveal it would cost what insiders say is ‘a significant penalty’ to pull out under the terms of their agreement with United.
Chelsea are believed to be looking at a number of wingers this summer, including exciting Real Betis talent Jesus Rodriguez.
Another issue could be Sancho’s contract with Chelsea. Players often agree terms with their new club before joining on loan with a view to a permanent move, but it’s understood the 24-year-old has yet to do so.
Sancho insists he is happy at Stamford Bridge, saying after Sunday’s win over Leicester: ‘I’m really delighted that I’m here, playing football at Chelsea. Maresca makes us feel at home. It’s not easy for players to say that. We’ve grown into one big family.’
Jadon Sancho could return to Man United in the summer – but for a costly fee for Chelsea
That would come as a surprise for United fans who thought they had seen the back of Sancho
Sancho had a public falling out with Erik ten Hag in 2023 and he sent him on loan to Borussia Dortmund soon afterwards
But if the contract situation remains unresolved at the end of the season, Chelsea will have two options: to go through with the transfer and then sell Sancho to another club, or send him back to United and incur the financial penalty.
That would come as a surprise for United fans who thought they had seen the back of Sancho after he returned to the club last summer following a spell on loan at his old club Borussia Dortmund in the wake of a public fallout with Erik ten Hag.
As Ratcliffe disclosed on Monday when he laid bare the extent of United’s overspending, the club will pay off the latest £17m chunk of Sancho’s £73m transfer fee when he signed from Dortmund in 2021.
He still has 16 months…