Fabrizio Romano: Chelsea Want to Sign £22m Man United Star This Summer | OneFootball

Jadon Sancho’s Chelsea Future: Will the Blues Complete the Deal?

Jadon Sancho’s time at Stamford Bridge has been a mixed bag, but according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea still intend to secure his permanent signing. Despite reports suggesting the club holds the power to withdraw from their conditional obligation to buy, Romano insists that Chelsea’s plan has always been to retain the English winger beyond his loan spell.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano clarified:

“It’s true that Chelsea can pay a fee to Manchester United and not proceed with the obligation to buy for Jadon Sancho. It’s the reality, but it’s not the intention. From day one Chelsea signed Sancho from Man Utd on loan with an obligation to buy because they want to keep Sancho and Sancho wants to be at Chelsea.”

With Chelsea sitting comfortably in the Premier League’s top four, the initial conditions to trigger the clause have been met. However, the Daily Mail recently reported that the Blues could still pull the plug on the deal if they wished, even if they finish well within the required 14th place or higher. The only caveat is that this decision would come at a financial cost, as Chelsea would be required to pay a compensatory fee to Manchester United.

Sancho’s Form: Is He Worth the Investment?

Sancho’s performances in a Chelsea shirt have been underwhelming at times. In 28 appearances for the club, he has only contributed two goals and six assists. His impact against top opposition has been inconsistent, with his anonymous display in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal raising further doubts over his long-term suitability.

That said, Chelsea’s recruitment team still believes in his potential, and Romano’s report suggests the club remains committed to integrating Sancho into their long-term plans. The key question remains whether Enzo Maresca can unlock the best version of the former Borussia Dortmund star, who struggled to find consistency at Manchester United.

Photo: IMAGO

What This Means for Manchester United

From Manchester United’s perspective, the news that Chelsea still intend to sign Sancho will come as a relief. The club is actively seeking to restructure its squad under incoming manager Ruben Amorim, and player sales will be crucial in raising funds for summer acquisitions.

Romano states:

“So that’s the idea and that’s the view and obviously Man Utd don’t want Sancho back. That’s the clear indication on Jadon Sancho.”

With Marcus Rashford also linked with a permanent move to Aston Villa, and Antony impressing on loan at Real Betis, United are open to significant changes in their attacking department. Sancho’s exit, should Chelsea follow through with their plans, would ease some of the financial burden at Old Trafford and give Amorim additional resources to reshape the squad.

The agreed fee of £22m-£25m, which depends on Chelsea’s final league position, will provide a modest yet important financial boost for United. In the grander scheme of things, offloading Sancho would also contribute to lowering the club’s wage bill, which is set for further reductions with the departures of players like Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Christian Eriksen.

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From a Manchester United fan’s perspective, the prospect of Sancho permanently joining Chelsea might evoke mixed emotions. On one hand, his failure to establish himself at Old Trafford was frustrating, especially given the hype surrounding his arrival from Borussia Dortmund. On the other, allowing a talented winger to move for a relatively low fee while Chelsea continue to develop him could sting if he suddenly rediscovers his form.

There’s also the lingering question of whether United handled the Sancho situation correctly. His fallout with Erik ten Hag and subsequent exile from the squad was a major factor in his departure, but was there more that could have been done to rehabilitate him? Under different circumstances, he might have flourished at Old Trafford, given the right system and managerial backing.

For Chelsea, Sancho’s signing represents another calculated gamble. If Maresca can get the best out of him, the £22m-£25m fee will look like a bargain in today’s market. If his inconsistency persists, however, it will raise further questions about the club’s transfer strategy.

Ultimately, Sancho’s future remains in his own hands. If he wants to prove Manchester United wrong, now is his time to shine.