Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has been the subject of interest from several clubs this summer, and is accustomed to transfer drama as the winger weighs up a move away from Old Trafford
Jadon Sancho playing for Manchester United
Jadon Sancho is expected to leave Manchester United this summer(Image: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho is no stranger to transfer sagas as the winger continues to wait for his Manchester United exit.
The 25-year-old arrived as a marquee signing in 2021 after building his reputation as one of the most exciting young players in European football at Borussia Dortmund. However, Sancho’s time at Old Trafford has not worked out, with the England international being loaned back to Dortmund and spending time at Chelsea in recent seasons. He is one of several players who expressed a desire to leave the club this summer.
It is understood that Roma have submitted a bid to initially take Sancho on loan before a £20million obligation to buy, though this fee would have to be paid before his United contract expires in 2026. However, talkSPORT has reported that Sancho has rejected Roma’s proposal after failing to agree personal terms. Here is a closer look at Sancho’s previous transfer sagas.
Leaving Manchester City
Rising through the ranks at United’s local rivals, Manchester City considered Sancho to be among the club’s star academy prospects. Despite Pep Guardiola admitting that he wanted to keep Sancho, the then-17-year-old was claimed to have reneged on a handshake agreement before choosing to join Dortmund in his search for regular football.
“We offered him a huge deal and we shook hands,” Guardiola revealed after Sancho’s exit was confirmed in 2017. “But before we went to the States, he said, 'I am not going to sign.’"
Sancho had yet to make a first-team appearance for City, but soon flourished at the German club after completing an £8m transfer. He notched 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances for Dortmund, but Guardiola insisted he had no hard feelings over City losing out on Sancho.
Jadon Sancho playing for Manchester City U19s
Jadon Sancho was highly-rated during his time at Manchester City
"I've said many times, it is not a regret," Guardiola said in 2021. "He decides. He's doing really well. Congratulations, he's an exceptional player. He is a national team player with huge quality, doing really well in Dortmund.
"We wanted him to stay but he decided to leave, and when people decide to leave all we can do is (let them) leave. I wish him all the best, except when he plays against us. No regrets at all. If he's happy, I'm happy."
Failed Manchester United move
United had attempted to sign Sancho a year before he eventually arrived at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side reportedly offered an initial £73m, rising to £91.3m in 2020, but this fell short of Dortmund's £108m price tag.
Sky Sports stated that Dortmund had been left ‘bemused’ by United’s offer and approach to negotiations. The German club had set an August deadline for Sancho to complete a move, which United missed. Sancho’s team-mate Roman Burki explained the winger’s reaction after missing out on joining Solskjaer’s side.
Jadon Sancho playing for Borussia Dortmund
Jadon Sancho stayed at Borussia Dortmund for an extra year after missing out on a move to Manchester United in 2020
“I wasn’t 100 per cent expecting him to stay, but I hoped he would,” Burki told Kicker. “It has always been clear that you have to pay a certain amount of money to buy a player of his quality, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s not as easy for the clubs as it was before.
“I don’t believe Jadon is sad that he will continue with Borussia Dortmund. He comes to training with a smile on his face and is happy to be with us. Jadon is still a top player next year.
"Time is not running out for him. Besides, he has developed as a personality. I am not aware of any current events that give cause for criticism. Jadon hasn’t done anything wrong in two and a half weeks of pre-season so far.”
Jadon Sancho celebrates Chelsea winning the Europa Conference League
Chelsea paid a penalty fee to avoid signing Jadon Sancho permanently(Image: Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Chelsea loan saga
Sancho currently finds himself looking for a new club after Chelsea decided against making his loan move permanent. Enzo Maresca’s side were forced to pay United a £5m penalty fee after previously agreeing an obligation to buy worth up to £25m.
The former Dortmund star made 41 appearances as Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Europa Conference League last term, contributing five goals and 10 assists. However, the club decided to pay £5m to avoid signing him permanently, subsequently recruiting Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens and Brazilian prodigy Estevao this summer.
It is not the first time that Sancho has been forced to return to United. Sancho was loaned to Dortmund in January 2024 following an earlier fallout with ex-United boss Erik ten Hag. The forward featured 21 times, including starting the Champions League final, but Dortmund were unable to finalise a permanent deal.
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