Unai Emery is reportedly keen on a third Manchester United player this summer despite transfer issues with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford.
In the closing days of the 2024 summer transfer window, Jadon Sancho left Manchester United to join Chelsea on a season-long loan.
The deal included an obligation for Chelsea to make the move permanent in the summer of 2025 for £25 million, though it was later revealed they could withdraw by paying a £5 million release fee.
After being frozen out by Erik ten Hag and spending time on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho was reintegrated into the United squad in July 2024. Still, doubts over his future persisted, ultimately resulting in his departure.
During his stint at Chelsea, Sancho made 41 appearances, scoring five goals and registering ten assists, including a well-taken strike in the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis.
Despite his contributions, Chelsea chose not to make the move permanent and instead paid United the £5 million opt-out fee.
Emery keen on Sancho this summer
With Sancho arriving back from Chelsea this summer, United have a headache they wish they hadn’t. However, Aston Villa may be able to provide Amorim’s club with a solution amid manager Unai Emery’s appreciation of Sancho.
Villa previously took Marcus Rashford on a six-month loan but opted against signing him for £40 million this summer. They have also registered interest in Alejandro Garnacho, but with United wanting as much as £70 million for the forward, this may be too steep for them as well.
Sancho is a more affordable player, with United reportedly seeing his price tag set at around £25 million; however, a significant stumbling block is his wages, a point that transfer journalist Graeme Bailey has highlighted.
“Sancho’s situation is clear – similar to that of Rashford, there is little to no future for him at Old Trafford,” Bailey told UnitedInFocus. “That is clear from both sides.
“United had hoped that he would join Chelsea, just to put the whole scenario to bed, but his unwillingness to take a drop in wages meant a move to Stamford Bridge was not possible.”
Continuing, Bailey said: “There is genuine interest in England. I’m told that one of the clubs that are open to a potential move for Sancho are Villa.
“We saw the success they had with loans last season with Rashford and Asensio. And now Sancho is on their radar; he is a player that Emery likes.
“There are other clubs too, he had a decent season at Chelsea, so let’s see how things progress – but to get something done, I think it is inevitable that United have to do something about his wages.”
There are options beyond England, but Sancho wants to remain in Europe
Sancho has also been closely linked with other clubs across Europe, with his former club Borussia Dortmund reportedly willing to sign the winger for a third time in his career.
Bailey also clarified that Sancho’s camp themselves know that the 25-year-old’s time at Old Trafford is over, and that they are working on securing him a move elsewhere.
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Saudi Pro League sides have also expressed interest, but the player prefers to remain in Europe for the time being.
“But Sancho’s camp are doing their work on options and we know that Borussia Dortmund want to bring him back – they would be willing to take him on a similar deal to that of Chelsea, but they would need United to contribute to wages too – but that is an issue, in terms of what United are willing to swallow.
“There are options elsewhere, the Saudi Pro League, but it is believed Sancho would rather remain in Europe at this point.”
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