Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly on the verge of finalizing a deal for Jadon Sancho, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The agreement is said to involve Chelsea securing Sancho on a loan basis for the upcoming season, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent next summer for a fee in the region of £25 million ($32.8 million).
Sancho, an English forward, has not seen competitive action for Manchester United in over a year and was notably omitted from Erik ten Hag's squad for the initial two Premier League fixtures against Fulham and Brighton. With two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, the 24-year-old's future has been subject to speculation.
Following a public dispute with Ten Hag, Sancho was sidelined from United's first-team setup and subsequently spent the latter part of last season on loan at his former club, Borussia Dortmund. Despite being reintegrated into the squad during the summer and participating in preseason activities, the player has been granted permission to secure a move to Chelsea, a fellow Premier League contender.
United had reportedly expressed interest in negotiating a permanent transfer for Sancho, but discussions hit a roadblock due to a disparity in valuation, with the club seeking around £40 million for the player. Chelsea emerged as frontrunners in the pursuit of Sancho's services, overtaking Juventus in the race for his signature after talks with the Italian club stalled recently.
Progress towards finalizing the deal accelerated during discussions held on Wednesday, culminating in Chelsea's advancement in negotiations. Despite initial talks with Juventus, an agreement could not be reached, prompting Chelsea to seize the opportunity to secure Sancho's services.
