Chelsea are considering whether to pay a “significant fee” to get out of their obligation to buy Jadon Sancho from Manchester United this summer.
The forward joined the Blues on loan last year, on terms that included a £25m obligation to make the deal permanent as the end of the season, should Chelsea finish above 14th in the Premier League. It was assumed Sancho would never return to his parent club as a result.
There is however, The i Paper understands, a clause in the deal where Chelsea can get out of the transfer if they pay a penalty fee, something they are understood to be considering as an option.
As it stands, Chelsea plan to stick to the terms of the agreement, but having already agreed to sign another winger, Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon, the club could cut their losses on Sancho and pay a fee to avoid taking on his £250,000-a-week wages on a permanent basis.
Quenda is understood to have chosen Chelsea over United, where former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is a huge admirer, due to the fact he wants to play as a winger rather than wing-back.
He will compete for a place at Chelsea alongside Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke and Sancho, should he stay. Mykhailo Mudryk is currently suspended pending the outcome of a failed drugs test but would provide further competition as and when his situation is resolved.
Sancho’s erratic form is understood to have caused Chelsea to think twice about keeping him. After making an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge, the 24-year-old has scored just twice and registered one assist since the end of September.
United do not want Sancho back, and are planning for next season without him on the roster. Should he return, minority co-owners Ineos would want to move him on quickly to raise funds for Amorim’s squad overhaul.
Keeping any semblance of a relationship with United does not appear to be on Sancho’s radar either, after he wrote “freedom” as a comment on Marcus Rashford’s social media post following his loan move to Aston Villa.
One player who is more confident of remaining at Old Trafford next season is Andre Onana.
The goalkeeper started the season in impressive form, but some supporters are unhappy with recent performances. United are understood to be considering a new goalkeeper as part of their summer rebuild, whether that be as a potential No 1 or understudy to Onana.
The Cameroon international, sources told The i Paper, is not concerned by the speculation he may be replaced. He feels he has the backing of his manager, with whom he has a good relationship, and remains focused on helping United turn things around.
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