Chelsea Skip Sancho Deal, Owe Man Utd £5m
Chelsea have decided against making Jadon Sancho’s loan move permanent and will instead pay a £5 million penalty to return the winger to Manchester United.
Sancho joined Chelsea on a season-long loan last summer after a breakdown in his relationship with United boss Erik ten Hag. While no loan fee was paid, Chelsea agreed to cover 50% of his £300,000-per-week wages.
The initial agreement also included a clause that obligated Chelsea to buy the player for around £25 million if they finished higher than 14th in the Premier League — a condition they met.
However, unable to agree terms with the player — who would have needed to take a pay cut — Chelsea opted out of the deal, triggering the penalty clause instead.
Sancho, 25, has one year left on his United contract, and the Red Devils still owe Borussia Dortmund £17 million from his £73 million transfer in 2021.
Despite a mixed campaign, he contributed five goals and ten assists in 42 appearances and helped Chelsea secure the UEFA Conference League title, scoring in their 4–1 win over Real Betis.
Still, he is not expected to feature in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are shifting focus to other targets — notably AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The club has registered interest in the 29-year-old shot-stopper, who is reportedly open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
Maignan has been a standout performer since arriving at Milan from Lille in 2021 and has established himself as France’s first-choice keeper since Hugo Lloris’ international retirement in early 2023.
Chelsea have faced ongoing instability between the posts since their £71 million signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018 — still a world record for a goalkeeper.
Kepa has spent the last two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth. Edouard Mendy, who initially replaced him, departed for Al-Ahli in 2023.
In recent seasons, the Blues have recruited Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, and Filip Jorgensen to fill the void — but none have fully convinced.
Petrovic spent last season on loan at sister club Strasbourg, while Sanchez and Jorgensen rotated in goal during the campaign.
With Maignan now a potential option, Chelsea may finally be moving toward a more stable solution in goal.
Chelsea Skip Sancho Deal, Owe Man Utd £5m