After struggling to offload Jadon Sancho all summer, Manchester United finally managed to agree a loan deal with Aston Villa for the Englishman on deadline day.
INEOS would have preferred a permanent solution, but the winger refused to agree to anything but a loan, which hampered the Red Devils’ chances of landing Emiliano Martinez.
The ex-Manchester City academy graduate was supposed to be a Chelsea player, but inconsistent form, wage demands as well as a lot of background issues meant the Blues paid a penalty to escape their obligation to buy him in the summer.
The 25-year-old attracted interest from Italy, Germany, Turkiye as well as Saudi Arabia, but it was clear for a long time that he was just biding his time as he had no interest in joining any club on a permanent basis.
Interest was there
His eyes are on a lucrative signing on bonus, which will be guaranteed to him should he depart as a free agent from Old Trafford. INEOS are reportedly mulling over triggering their one-year extension option to stop that from happening.
Villa also could look to permanently sign the England international should he impress, but they will have their task cut out as per Football Insider.
The report has claimed that Sancho’s soon-to-be free agency status has attracted interest from a lot of top clubs, and should the London-born star impress for Unai Emery, many of them will be clamouring to snap him up.
“A number of tops clubs will be keeping tabs on Jadon Sancho. They’ll see how he gets on at Aston Villa because a lot of clubs were interested in the summer.
More clubs expected to join the race
“He had a very successful loan at Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago, it didn’t really work out for him at Chelsea last year and they decided not to make it permanent.
“But teams like Dortmund and Juventus were interested during the summer. If his loan move to Villa is a success, that interest will still be there next year.
“The talent is there, there’s no doubt about that, and he will hope he can get back to his best. It would be good for United as well because it would put him in the shop window and potentially increase his price tag ahead of next summer.”
This might allow United the chance to earn a fee from his sale, but for that to happen they will have to trigger their extension option while the player will also have to shine at Villa Park.
Is it really worth the risk? Most fans will say no. INEOS will take the final call.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
