Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United £5 million ($6.5m) if they decide to back out of a deal to sign Jadon Sancho permanently this summer, a source has told ESPN.
Sancho, 24, joined Chelsea on loan last August and the deal includes a £25 million obligation to buy if Chelsea finish higher than 14th in the Premier League. With Chelsea currently sitting fourth in the table and nine games remaining, the condition is likely to be triggered.
However, the agreement includes a clause that allows Chelsea to avoid the permanent transfer by paying a £5 million penalty to United. Sources close to Chelsea have downplayed the likelihood of Sancho returning to Old Trafford, suggesting that the club is prepared to commit to the deal.
Sancho has had a mixed season under head coach Enzo Maresca, scoring twice in 28 appearances. His last goal came in the dramatic 4-3 win over Tottenham in December, and he has struggled to maintain consistent form.
Manchester United are reportedly relaxed about the situation. If Sancho returns, it could create a selection dilemma for new manager Ruben Amorim, who already faces decisions regarding Antony and Marcus Rashford. Both players were loaned out in January — Antony to Real Betis and Rashford to Aston Villa — after Amorim’s arrival as Erik ten Hag’s replacement in November.
A source told ESPN that Amorim will have the final say on Sancho’s future if he returns to United. However, the most likely outcome remains a permanent exit in the summer, as United are looking to reshape their squad.
Sancho’s inconsistent performances have raised questions about his long-term role at Chelsea. If Maresca decides to part ways, United could face the challenge of reintegrating him or finding another club willing to take him on.
With Chelsea’s top-four finish looking likely, the £25 million obligation to buy remains the default scenario — unless the Blues choose to cut ties and accept the £5 million penalty.