After his loan spell with Chelsea came to an end, Jadon Sancho has been left in limbo, and while he is still a Manchester United player, his future looks to be far away from Old Trafford
Jadon Sancho of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Conference League Final 2025 between Real Betis Balompie and Chelsea FC at Stadion Wroclaw on May 28, 2025 in Wroclaw, Poland
Jadon Sancho's future is once again uncertain(Image: Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho's stint at Chelsea, despite culminating in a Europa Conference League victory, has ended with the club opting not to sign him from Manchester United for £25million.
The 25-year-old, who had been loaned to the Blues, will return to Old Trafford. Chelsea were locked in to buy him for £25m at the end of the loan, unless they finished lower than 14th or paid a £5m penalty clause to send him back.
They opted to to pay the penalty even though they secured a fourth-place finish and Conference League glory, with Sancho playing a huge role in the latter by scoring the third in a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the final. Now, Sancho appears to be back at square one at Old Trafford.
The London club is now reportedly eyeing other talents, including Jamie Byroe-Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao and Alejandro Garnacho, who looks to have been frozen out by Ruben Amorim in the same way Sancho was banished by Erik ten Hag.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hinted at a desire for Sancho to stay, when he said: "We are going to sit with the club and decide what happens for next year. He's come here and got his career back on track. I still think there is more to come from him; I really do."
According to ESPN, Chelsea pulled out of a deal for Sancho due to the player's refusal to lower the £300,000-per-week wages he earns at United. This salary expectation is higher than Chelsea skipper Reece James' £250,000-a-week and more than double that of ex-Manchester City academy star-turned-Blues talisman Cole Palmer.
Sancho expressed his feelings on his departure, stating on social media: "Grateful for the experience. Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home – team-mates, staff and the fans. Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful."
With Sancho holding firm on his high salary demand, it may be challenging to find another club willing to match these terms. The arrival of forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m at United, along with the potential signing of right-winger Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, means Sancho sees his position under further threat.
Chelsea's Jadon Sancho scores his side's third goal during the Europa Conference League final soccer match between Real Betis and Chelsea in Wroclaw, Poland, Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Sancho's strike in the Conference League was not enough to convince Chelsea
The Mirror understands Saudi Arabian Pro League sides Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad have shown interest in Sancho and could meet his wage demands. Ivan Toney's recent England selection following his move to the Middle East last summer may also influence Sancho's decision.
Interest from Bayer Leverkusen was reported in May, but with Ten Hag being named as their new manager, any move to the Bundesliga club has surely been rendered impossible.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 10: Jadon Sancho of Manchester United looks dejected after missing his team's fourth penalty in the penalty shoot-out during the 2024 FA Community Shield match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Sancho last played for United last August, missing a penalty in the Community Shield loss to Manchester City
Sancho's contract at Old Trafford is set to expire on June 30, 2026. This summer could be United's best chance to make some money from his services, even though it's highly unlikely they'll get back the £73m they forked out to Dortmund in the summer of 2021.
If a permanent move that maintains his salary isn't feasible this year, Sancho's next best option might be another loan stint, having already had six months at Dortmund and a year at Stamford Bridge.
However, with United keen to strengthen their attacking options, they would undoubtedly prefer a permanent transfer which guarantees them a fee and removes Sancho from their wage bill.
It's yet another challenging situation for the former City academy star, who was tipped for greatness when he first started turning heads at Dortmund as a teenager. His career has so far not lived up to the hype, but he will be hoping his next move will give him the opportunity to build on the momentum he amassed at Chelsea.