Aston Villa are in the race to land Jadon Sancho after the Manchester United outcast has been pinpointed as a potential acquisition when head coach Unai Emery has been making recruitment plans with president of football operations Monchi at Villa Park, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
The Villans will have teenage defender Yasin Ozcan among their options heading into next season, thanks to pre-agreeing a five-year contract in February after holding negotiations with Turkish side Kasimpasa during the winter transfer window, but there is a strong desire to secure additional reinforcements in the coming months.
Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United after Aston Villa opted against taking advantage of a £40million option to make him a permanent member of their squad following a productive loan spell, but Emery is still threatening to raid his Premier League counterparts after including Sancho on his shortlist of targets.
Villans Set Sights on Possible Sancho Swoop
England international's wage demands creating stumbling block
Jadon Sancho in action for Chelsea
Aston Villa are showing interest in striking a summer deal for Sancho, according to GMS sources, but he is threatening to create a significant stumbling block as it has been indicated that he is not willing to lower his lucrative wage demands despite having no way back into Manchester United's plans.
The wide forward is currently assessing his options after Chelsea paid a £5million penalty to send him back to Old Trafford instead of exercising their obligation to purchase him following a fruitful loan stint, leading to the Villans sniffing an opportunity to reach an agreement for his services.
GMS sources have been informed that Aston Villa are entertaining the possibility of making a move for Sancho, having seen him register 13 goal involvements during his time at Stamford Bridge, but there are concerns that his financial expectations may scupper their chances of adding him to Emery's squad.
Jadon Sancho's statistics for Chelsea this season
The 25-year-old has been described as 'special' by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and, with him being on the market due to failing to convince Manchester United that he should be offered a route back into the picture, the Midlands giants are weighing up whether to enter negotiations as they make preparations for a campaign which will include Europa League action.
Sancho is on a contract which allows him to pocket in the region of £300,000-per-week, GMS sources have learned, meaning that Aston Villa will have to be willing to splash the cash if they want to stand a chance of getting the deal over the line during the remainder of the transfer window.
Emery May Face Uphill Battle to Land Sancho
Return to Bundesliga interests 25-year-old as he weighs up options
Jadon Sancho during a pre-match warm-up with Chelsea
GMS sources have been told that Aston Villa are in danger of facing an uphill battle to convince Sancho to arrive from Manchester United as he is open to returning to Borussia Dortmund for a third spell, but the Bundesliga heavyweights will only be able to pounce if he drops his wage demands or his current employers subsidise part of his salary.
Although the 23-cap England international moved to Old Trafford from Signal Iduna Park in a switch worth £73million in July 2021, he headed back to familiar surroundings for a loan spell during the 2023/24 campaign after having a bust-up with then-Red Devils chief Erik ten Hag and is on their radar once again.
Borussia Dortmund want clarity on Sancho's position before formally committing to a pursuit, GMS sources understand, and it is increasingly likely that Manchester United will have to continue covering a portion of his pay package if they want to facilitate a switch to Germany instead of Aston Villa.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery Related
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The Villans are keen to reinforce in defence this summer.
GMS sources recently revealed that the Villans are expected to sell Emiliano Martinez during the summer, with the Red Devils among the sides monitoring his situation as they go in search of an upgrade on current first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana as they prepare for Ruben Amorim's first full season in charge.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 16/06/2025
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