Chelsea 'make final Jadon Sancho transfer decision' as Man Utd set to receive fee

Chelsea have reportedly made a final decision on whether they will sign Jadon Sancho permanently for Manchester United, in a deal that could cost as much as £25million, or pay a £5m penalty to opt out of their obligation to buy the former England football team winger. Sancho has spent the season on loan at Stamford Bridge and scored in the Blues' UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis.

He has been a prominent squad member throughout the season under Enzo Maresca, making 31 Premier League appearances, including 19 starts. The 25-year-old often competed with Pedro Neto for a spot on the left flank and ended his loan spell with a stunning goal against Betis, cutting in and firing past Adrian to take the game beyond doubt.

However, Chelsea have decided not to take up the obligation to sign Sancho permanently and will pay United a £5m penalty as a result. He is set to depart Stamford Bridge when his loan contract ends on June 30 after negotiations broke down.

The Athletic claim that even though Sancho's loan featured an obligation to buy worth up to £25m, that clause still hinged on an agreement between Chelsea and the winger. Personal terms have not been reached, however, with Chelsea employing a strict wage cap under Todd Boehly and co.

Sancho was a popular figure in west London and he does have options both in England and across Europe, which he is expected to explore as opposed to seeking out a return to United.

Sancho had publicly fallen out with then-United boss Erik ten Hag and sought out a loan move to Chelsea, before the Dutchman was sacked and replaced by Ruben Amorim.

Amorim is not expected to recall Sancho to his squad for the coming season and will hope to sell him alongside fellow cast-offs Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony.

Speaking immediately after Chelsea's European triumph in Poland, Maresca confirmed that no decision had been made regarding Sancho's future, but it would be resolved shortly after as part of a transfer summit.

“From now on is when we sit down with the club and decide about next year,” he told TNT Sports. “Jadon Sancho, if we finished fourth, it’s because of Jadon, if we won tonight it’s because of Jadon. It’s also because of Robert Sanchez — during the season, everyone is up and down a little bit, that’s part of the game.”

Chelsea are interested in Garnacho and Borussia Dortmund's English starlet Jamie Gittens as potential replacements for Sancho, though the latter would cost in the region of £50m.

The Blues have already agreed a deal to sign Ipswich striker Liam Delap for £30m, having activated his relegation release clause, with confirmation expected imminently.