Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho in action for Chelsea
Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho in action for Chelsea
One of Manchester United's top priority sales in the upcoming summer transfer window is their winger Jadon Sancho.
Last year, it looked as though United had resolved this issue professionally by agreeing a loan with £25m option to buy with Chelsea on deadline day. However, the Englishman's time at Stamford Bridge has been underwhelming and while he has performed well in the Conference League, there is a feeling among the Blues' contingent that Sancho has not performed well enough to be offered a permanent contract.
It is understood that Chelsea and United have an agreement whereby the Blues can pay £5m not to sign Sancho in the summer and if this is the case, the clause could be exercised. Alternatively, Enzo Maresca's men could sign him and try to sell their newly acquired asset straight away but that could be a complicated deal to get over the line.
Should Chelsea decide to take the first route, United could be left in a situation where they are stuck with Sancho. Fortunately, the winger's stock in the Bundesliga remains high and one club could be set for a big payday.
Liverpool, along with Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz this season and it is believed they could pay as much as £126m for his services. If this is the case, Leverkusen will suddenly become big players in the market.
Earlier this month, The Sun reported that Leverkusen were interested in Sancho and that United could do a deal for little more than £20m for the winger. With such a windfall coming into the German club, a move for Sancho seems frugal for them and could save United.
Of course, the spanner that is now in the works is that Erik ten Hag is on the verge of being officially confirmed as Leverkusen's next boss. Xabi Alonso has left at the end of the Bundesliga season to join Real Madrid and it is believed the Dutchman has signed a two-year contract in Germany to replace the ex-Liverpool man.
Ten Hag and Sancho had an infamous falling out during the former's spell at Old Trafford and this could scupper any chances of using this exit route which Liverpool have opened up. The glimmer of hope would be that the pair did bury the hatchet before either man left but the decision was still made to sell the winger.
Stranger things have happened in football and United will be hoping that even if Leverkusen are no longer interested, there is a club willing to take Sancho off their hands.
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