€30m market value
©TM/IMAGO
Jadon Sancho’s future at Manchester United remains in jeopardy despite reconciling with Erik ten Hag earlier this summer. Sancho was banished for United’s first-team squad last season after a disagreement with Ten Hag and the mercurial winger returned to Borussia Dortmund on-loan for the second half of the season. Sancho showed glimpses of his unquestionable ability in Germany and he dazzled against PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The 24-year-old and Ten Hag patched up their differences ahead of pre-season and the Englishman featured regularly in pre-season. Sancho, however, was left out of United’s squad for their Premier League opener against Fulham with Ten Hag citing an ear infection. “We need squad depth, it will be survival of the fittest,” Ten Hag explained. “There can only be 20 players in the squad. We have to make choices. Jadon, in the week, had an ear infection. He was not 100 per cent fit for this. He could play, but we made a choice.” But Sancho was visible in training earlier this week and there’s mounting speculation that he could still depart Old Trafford before the transfer window closes.
Why Jadon Sancho could leave Manchester United
There was enormous excitement around Sancho returning to England in 2021 after thriving for Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The former Manchester City starlet scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists in 137 games for the German giants and his market value soared to a record-high of €130 million. United paid €85m to sign Sancho but he failed to replicate his Bundesliga brilliance as he contributed just 18 goal contributions in 82 games – as the graphic below illustrates.
Sancho was afforded a fresh start this season but he’s way down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Ten Hag handed him seven minutes off the bench against Man City in the Community Shield but he missed another crucial penalty at Wembley as United lost. Sancho’s absence from the squad against Fulham signalled his current predicament at United with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad are expected to compete for the two starting berths on the wing. Sancho is unquestionably a better footballer than Antony but United will struggle to shift the Brazilian, while the Englishman has potential suitors.
Which clubs could look to sign Jadon Sancho?
The Athletic reported this week that United feel Chelsea could make a move for Sancho before the transfer window shuts on August 30th. Enzo Maresca’s squad is already extremely bloated with the Chelsea boss only working with 21 stars, which leaves around 20 players surplus to requirements. Chelsea have a plethora of wingers with Raheem Sterling and Mykhaylo Mudryk surplus to requirements but Sancho has been linked by a reputable source.
It was reported on Thursday morning by Spanish outlet Sport that Barcelona are weighing up a loan move for Sancho and that could appeal for the Englishman. PSG and United are locked in talks for Manuel Ugarte and Sancho has been discussed as possibly heading in the other direction for Paris. Juventus are also monitoring his availability and Sancho could feasibly be one of the biggest names to move in the last week of the window. United value Sancho at around €45m but a loan move with an option to buy could be a more realistic option.
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