Despite netting a goal in the Europa Conference League final, Jadon Sancho failed to secure a permanent move to Chelsea for £25million.
The 25-year-old winger, who clinched his first European trophy and scored the third goal in a 4-1 win over Real Betis, was returned to Manchester United, at great expense, by Enzo Maresca's team. Chelsea had initially taken Sancho on loan from United with an agreement that they would shell out £25m for a full transfer this summer, with the caveat that the deal could be cancelled, if Chelsea finish 14th or pay a £5m penalty to exit the deal.
With a fourth-place league finish and a Conference League victory under their belt, Chelsea chose to pay the penalty, sending Sancho back to Old Trafford. Now, the Blues' attention has turned to potential signings like Jamie Byroe-Gittens of Borussia Dortmund, Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao and even Sancho's team-mate at United, Alejandro Garnacho, who has been excluded by Ruben Amorim in similar fashion to Sancho during Erik ten Hag's reign.
Following the club's European success, Maresca seemed keen on keeping Sancho, saying: "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."
ESPN reports that Chelsea pulled out of a transfer for Sancho after the winger refused to budge on his £300,000 per-week salary demands, which is what he earns at United.
This wage would place Sancho above Chelsea skipper Reece James (£250,000 per-week) - it is also more than double Cole Palmer’s purported £130,000 a-week salary.
After his departure was made official, Sancho expressed gratitude on social media, saying: "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."
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, celebrates with Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke of Chelsea following the team's victory during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Chelsea FC at City Ground on May 25, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Maresca appeared to suggest that he wanted to keep Sancho (Image: Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Sancho's insistence on maintaining his high wages may deter other clubs from pursuing him. United have recently bolstered their attacking options with new signings like Matheus Cunha for £62.5m and could potentially sign Bryan Mbeumo for £55m.
Mirror Football reports that Saudi Pro League teams Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are clubs that could accommodate Sancho's wage demands and may sign him. His openness to a Middle Eastern move might be influenced by seeing Ivan Toney get an England call-up under Thomas Tuchel while playing in the country.
Back in May, Bayer Leverkusen seemed poised to bid for Sancho, but Erik ten Hag’s appointment at United might just seal off any pathway to the BayArena for the former Borussia Dortmund talisman. Sancho's contract at Old Trafford is set to expire on June 30, 2026.
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
Sancho looks like he is back to square one (Image: Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
This summer is United's prime chance to capitalise on his services, despite the slim likelihood of recouping the £73m they shelled out to Dortmund in the summer of 2021. If a permanent move that maintains his current wage isn't feasible this year, Sancho's next best alternative might be another loan stint, having already had six months at Dortmund and a year at Stamford Bridge under his belt.
Nonetheless, with United keen to strengthen their attacking line-up, they would undoubtedly favour a permanent transfer that ensures them a fee and removes Sancho from their payroll.
It's yet another challenging predicament for the former Manchester City academy standout, who was earmarked for greatness when he first turned heads at Dortmund as a teenager, but has so far failed to reach those levels.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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