Jadon Sancho has made it clear to Manchester United where he stands on his future, as both sides appear to be heading for a standoff. The winger, who spent last season on loan at Chelsea following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Erik ten Hag, is refusing to make any permanent or temporary switch unless United agree to shoulder part of his hefty wages.
Sancho’s loan to Chelsea came with a clause requiring the London club to buy him permanently for £25 million, but that deal hinges on Sancho accepting a pay cut—something he has yet to agree to. If Chelsea backs out of the arrangement, they’re obligated to pay United a £5 million fee. However, the wage issue remains the main stumbling block.
According to TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey, Sancho has effectively been sidelined alongside players like Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho, none of whom feature in the plans of new boss Ruben Amorim. Despite United’s eagerness to move him on, Sancho is standing firm—demanding his full salary, which exceeds £300,000 per week, be respected in any potential deal.
United, on their part, are unwilling to subsidize his salary and feel they’ve already taken a hit by slashing his value from the £73 million they paid for him in 2021 to around £25 million. The high wages have discouraged clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, and Aston Villa—each of which has shown interest—from making a move, as none are in a position to meet his current demands.
With no deal close, Sancho’s future hangs in the balance. United believe that the significantly reduced transfer fee should be sufficient motivation for clubs to sign him, but as of now, no agreement has been reached. If nothing materializes before the start of pre-season, Sancho is not expected to be included in Amorim’s first-team plans.
The club’s summer overhaul is already underway, with Matheus Cunha signed and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo on their radar. However, further arrivals depend on player sales. Alongside Sancho, United are open to offloading Rashford, who is attracting attention from Aston Villa but is reportedly holding out for Barcelona, and goalkeeper Andre Onana, who is being monitored by Monaco.
In another twist, Alejandro Garnacho, once seen as a key figure for United’s future, is also being encouraged to find a new club after reportedly falling out with Amorim. His potential departure, along with Sancho’s unresolved saga, points to a turbulent transfer window that could shape the squad dramatically heading into the new season.
The message from United is clear: anyone who doesn’t align with the manager’s vision or the club’s financial model will be shown the door. Unless Sancho softens his wage stance or United decide to compromise financially, this impasse is likely to continue, potentially casting a shadow over the club’s preparations for the upcoming campaign.
