Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Manchester United manager Ruben AmorimChelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim | Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly considering sending Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United this summer
Chelsea are considering paying a financial penalty to get out of their obligation to buy Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal from Manchester United, it has been reported this week. However, a fresh update on the situation suggests it could work out positively for the Red Devils.
Sancho left Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan in August, with the agreement including an obligation for Chelsea to make the deal permanent for between £20m-£25m at the end of the season.
However, a report from i News earlier this week, claimed Chelsea were weighing up paying what has been described as a “significant fee” to avoid buying Sancho this summer. Sancho has made 23 Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists. He has started 16 of their 29 fixtures so far. In all competitions, he has played 28 times, while providing six assists in total but his only goals have come in the Premier League.
New report sheds light on Chelsea’s potential financial penalty
ESPN have reported that Chelsea’s obligation to buy Sancho will only become active if the Blues finish above 14th in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca’s side ae chasing a spot in the Champions League this season and are highly unlikely to finish in the bottom half.
It also claims the Stamford Bridge club would still be forced to pay a “large proportion” of the £25m to United, if they decided to back out of the deal. If Chelsea were to opt out of their deal to buy Sancho, it could prove to be a positive for United in terms of their position with profit and sustainability. They could essentially gain two fees for Sancho, as they would be paid the fine by the Blues and could then look to move the former Borussia Dortmund man on elsewhere.
Sancho sale may prove difficult
If Sancho does return to United, finding a buyer could prove easier said than done. Sancho’s performances at Chelsea have been inconsistent and any clubs with a potential interest in the forward will know he is not wanted at Old Trafford, which could make it harder for the Red Devils to gain the fee they want for the former Man City academy player.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca appears to be a fan of Sancho, as he said of the player back in January: “For me he’s doing very well. I am quite surprised with Jadon, because I knew Jadon already [from seeing him at his previous clubs] and I know what I expected from him, but in terms of being consistent, he’s doing very well.
“Apart from a short part of the season when he had some problems, when he was out ill, then for the rest he has been very good. I expected him to do well, but for all the players doing well for a long period is not easy, and he has been doing well for a long period already. He’s doing well, now he just needs to continue going in that way.”
Related topics:Jadon SanchoChelseaStamford BridgeOld Trafford
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