Manchester United have landed a boost in their hopes of offloading Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window amid fears Chelsea could pull out of a permanent deal, according to reports. United included an obligation to buy Sancho for up to £25million as part of the loan agreement they struck with Chelsea on deadline day last summer.
However, emerging reports have revealed that the Blues do, in fact, have the option to pay a £5m loan fee to terminate the agreement and send him back to Old Trafford. The development represents a blow for United ahead of a huge summer for Ruben Amorim, during which sales will be crucial to boost the budget. The Red Devils are expected to oversee the permanent exits of other loanees, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, ahead of next season.
But Sancho's departure, which would recoup a handy transfer fee and remove his eye-watering earnings from the wage bill, will also be a priority.
And United have been handed hope of cutting ties with the £73m flop this summer amid growing anticipation of his unpopular return.
According to ESPN, Chelsea have played down the possibility of Sancho returning to Old Trafford later this year.
It's claimed that United are also relaxed about the intensely debated situation and that a permanent exit remains the most likely outcome.
The report adds that Amorim will have the final say on Sancho's future if he does make a surprise comeback to M16.
But it would be surprising if the Portuguese tactician takes a chance on a player with a track record of struggling to buy into a United boss' demands.
The Red Devils need to generate funds through player sales if they are to oversee the transformative transfer window Amorim needs.
And he will want to focus on recruiting his own players who he trusts can match his vision and fit his 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford.
In January, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wasn't speaking like a coach who wasn't interested in keeping Sancho at Stamford Bridge.
"He is doing very well for me," Maresca said. "I am quite surprised with Jadon. I knew Jadon already, so I knew what to expect from him but in terms of being consistent.
"He is doing very well apart from a short spell of the season where he had some problems [Sancho missed several games through illness in November], apart from that he has been very good.
"I expected him to do well, but for all players, doing well for a long period is not easy. He has done well for a long period."