Chelsea are set to pay a £5 million penalty fee after failing to complete the permanent signing of Jadon Sancho, whose loan spell at Stamford Bridge has come to an end.
Despite a season-long agreement with Manchester United that included an obligation to buy worth up to £25 million, negotiations over personal terms collapsed, according to The Athletic.
As a result, Sancho will return to Old Trafford when his loan expires on June 30, and Chelsea will activate the penalty clause embedded in the agreement.
A Mixed Spell at Stamford Bridge
Sancho, 25, enjoyed flashes of brilliance during his time with the Blues, including a memorable Conference League final goal in Chelsea’s 4-1 triumph over Real Betis.
He also delivered a key assist off the bench in a September win over Bournemouth, quickly earning support from Chelsea fans.
However, his inconsistency across the season — despite 42 appearances, 5 goals, and 10 assists — raised doubts about whether he fit into the club’s long-term project.
United Ready to Move On
Manchester United, now looking to restructure their squad under the new technical leadership, reportedly consider Sancho transfer-listed, per Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils are keen to raise funds for reinforcements and are not expected to reintegrate Sancho into the first team.
What Next for Sancho?
The winger now finds himself at a career crossroads. After underwhelming stints at both United and Chelsea, he is likely to attract interest from abroad, with Juventus and clubs in Germany and Saudi Arabia monitoring his situation.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have already turned their focus to other targets and are unlikely to include Sancho in their Club World Cup squad.
