Chelsea have decided not to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal, and the Manchester United winger has been offered three potential escape routes from Old Trafford
Chelsea's English midfielder #19 Jadon Sancho celebrates with the trophy after the UEFA Conference League final football match between Real Betis and Chelsea
Jadon Sancho is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia as he looks set for another Man United exit
(Image: Getty Images)
The Old Trafford exit door appears to be calling Jadon Sancho again with Saudi Arabia a potential destination after Chelsea declined the opportunity to sign him. The England international finds himself in a state of uncertainty once more following Chelsea's refusal to meet his contract demands.
The Blues chose to pay Manchester United a £5million penalty fee rather than triggering the obligation to buy him for £25m as part of his loan agreement. The England winger fell out with former United chief Erik ten Hag and was sent back on loan to Borussia Dortmund last season before the switch to the capital.
Sancho, 25, had an inconsistent season at Stamford Bridge but did manage to score in the Europa Conference League final victory over Real Betis. Nonetheless, it doesn't appear that was enough to convince Chelsea his stint should be extended.
Enzo Maresca was reportedly eager to retain the winger, but Chelsea's top brass were unwilling to match the player's demands. It's understood Sancho is hopeful of maintaining his £300,000-a-week wages, though that will inevitably impact his options this summer.
United were drawn into discussions about whether they would cover some of the wages remaining on his contract, which expires next summer. However, they decided not to intervene and will instead pocket the £5m fine and aim to sell him elsewhere.
And it may be his most likely destination this summer is the Saudi Pro League, where there are supposedly three teams willing to take a punt on the player. The Mirror reported Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al Nassr have each expressed interest in the discarded star.
Jadon Sancho of Manchester United arrives at the stadium prior to the 2024 FA Community Shield match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley
Sancho once again looks bound for the Old Trafford exit(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
Sancho has connections with high-profile figures in the Middle East, which could assist in facilitating a deal. This would be welcome news for United as they look to balance the books.
The Red Devils still owe Dortmund nearly £17m in unpaid fees from the £75m deal to sign him in 2021. And that means much of any sale fee could go towards settling that existing debt.
No leading European clubs are prepared to sign the player on his reported wage demands. And Sancho appears to have demonstrated his priorities by refusing to take a wage cut in order to prolong his stay at Chelsea.
Amorim isn't believed to have any plans to reintegrate the player into his team as they proceed with a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian is understood to have held talks with the club after United already secured the £62.5m signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
Jadon Sancho of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage
Chelsea preferred to pay United to not sign Sancho, who could leave England once more
United are aiming to sell in order to generate additional funds for their summer overhaul and are counting on receiving some money for Sancho. And they would hope a Saudi offer could at least match the £25m they were due to receive from Chelsea.
However, the £5m penalty fee provides them with at least some flexibility in their budgeting. This could be used to supplement the player's salary at another club if they don't secure a permanent solution with a Saudi heavyweight.
United do not wish to loan Sancho out for the final year of his contract and see him leave for free next summer. However, the player is not opposed to this idea given it would mean he has more freedom deciding his own fate next summer.