Chelsea has secured the services of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho on loan until the end of the season.
The deal includes a mandatory obligation for Chelsea to sign the 24-year-old England international for between £20-25 million next summer.
Sancho joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021 for a fee of £73 million but has struggled to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.
He made 83 appearances across three full seasons but faced a high-profile falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, which led to him training away from the first team.
After a loan spell back at Borussia Dortmund in January, Sancho returned to Manchester United this summer but has not been included in the squad for any of their Premier League games so far.
His last appearance for England was in 2021, and he was not selected for the 2022 World Cup or Euro 2024.
For Manchester United, this loan deal represents the best way out of a difficult situation. Sporting director Dan Ashworth, technical director Jason Wilcox, and chief executive Omar Berrada have had to navigate a complex issue that was not of their making.
Sancho had already fallen out with Erik ten Hag before the trio took over their roles.
The uneasy truce negotiated to get Sancho back for pre-season training and the club’s tour of the United States was a temporary solution that allowed him to maintain his fitness and make it easier to find a new club.
Even before his public dispute with his manager, Sancho had not lived up to the expectations placed on him at Old Trafford.
The emergence of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo has provided Erik ten Hag with other options in the wide positions, even without considering Marcus Rashford and Antony.
While this solution is not ideal given the circumstances, it is the best way out for all parties involved.
