Jadon Sancho will not be staying at Chelsea after all, having failed to agree personal terms with the club.
The two sides had been talking for at least the past week or so, but according to The Athletic, a deal has “failed to materialize” and thus the 25-year-old will be going back to Manchester United at the end of his loan (officially at the end of June), and look for a new team from there. It’s unclear if that means that he will still come with us to the Club World Cup, which starts before then, in two weeks, but ends after. (Presumably not.)
There was a £25m conditional buy-obligation in Sancho’s loan contract, which was contingent on Chelsea finishing at least 14th. But we also had the option to get completely out of the obligation simply by paying a £5m fee. Given Sancho’s outsized contract (United were paying half of it this season), we would’ve needed him to agree to new terms to fit into our current wage structure. Alas, he chose not to leave millions on the table, which is certainly his prerogative.
Sancho did have a decent season, but hardly anything spectacular. He did score his 5th goal of the campaign in the UEFA Conference League final, to go along with 10 assists across 41 appearances in all competitions — about on par with his other three seasons in the Premier League, since his big-money exit from Borussia Dortmund.
While the £25m is a small fee in today’s market, Sancho’s existing contract was prohibitive (and it also only had a year left on it), so we would’ve needed to him sign a new deal first. We may have to spend more to replace him, but hopefully we can find an upgrade at the same time.
So long, Jadon, and thanks for all the fish.
EXCL: Jadon Sancho leaving Chelsea when contract ends June 30 after agreement could not be reached over personal terms for loan to turn permanent. #CFC will pay £5m penalty to #MUFC. 25yo to explore options in England/Europe for next move @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Mv1cCbB56a
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 3, 2025