Chelsea could be required to pay Manchester United a £5 million fee if they opt against signing Jadon Sancho on a permanent transfer this summer.
The 24-year-old winger joined Chelsea on a season-long loan in August, with an obligation to buy for a fee between £20 million and £25 million, provided the London club finishes at least 14th in the Premier League this season.
Currently sitting in fourth place with nine league games remaining, Chelsea is well above that threshold. However, reports initially from The Athletic—now confirmed by sources familiar with the agreement—indicate that the deal includes a clause allowing Chelsea to return Sancho to Old Trafford if they compensate United with £5 million.
Despite Chelsea publicly stating they have no intention of triggering this clause, doubts remain about Sancho’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge beyond this season.
Sancho’s situation at United became complicated after a dispute with former manager Erik ten Hag, who publicly criticized his training performances. As a result, the England international spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund before joining Chelsea.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently acknowledged Sancho’s financial implications for the club, explaining in an interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan that United are still making payments related to his £73 million transfer from Dortmund in 2021.
“For Sancho, who obviously now plays for Chelsea, and we pay half his wages, we are paying £17 million to buy him in the summer,” Ratcliffe stated.
Sancho initially made a positive impression at Stamford Bridge but has struggled to maintain consistency. His last goal came against Tottenham on December 8, and he has since contributed just one assist in 18 appearances.
Chelsea is already planning to strengthen their attack in the summer transfer window, targeting a new winger and a striker. The club has also secured a £42 million deal for Sporting CP’s 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda, although he will not join until 2026.
Sancho remains under contract with Manchester United until 2026, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by another year.
While there has been attention on Cole Palmer’s 10-game goal drought, Sancho’s output has been even more concerning. He has scored only twice in 29 appearances for Chelsea and has provided just three assists—matching the tally from his first three games with the club.
His overall numbers place him among Chelsea’s least productive attackers. Only Mykhailo Mudryk—who has been provisionally suspended since December for allegedly using a banned substance—has posted worse statistics for goals and assists.
Meanwhile, Joao Felix, despite leaving for AC Milan on loan in January, continues to have a better attacking output than Sancho.
Additionally, Sancho’s creative struggles are evident in his crossing ability. None of his 19 previous Premier League crosses have successfully found a teammate, highlighting his ongoing difficulties at Chelsea.
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