Chelsea ready to pay £5m penalty to send unwanted player to Man Utd

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to pay a £5 million compensation fee to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United, as the Blues decide against making the winger’s loan move permanent.

Sancho joined Chelsea on a season-long loan after falling out of favour at Old Trafford under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Despite an inconsistent season, he has produced 4 goals and 10 assists in 40 appearances, which has not been enough to convince Chelsea to trigger their buy option.

According to The Sun, Chelsea would rather cut their losses and send the 24-year-old back to United — even if it means paying a financial penalty built into the original loan agreement.

The Blues are now focused on rebuilding under Enzo Maresca, and Sancho doesn’t appear to fit into those long-term plans.

This creates a dilemma for Manchester United, who are not expected to reintegrate Sancho either.

Manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly ruled out a return, and the club is actively seeking a permanent transfer for the England international.

Sources suggest United are willing to accept offers in the region of £20 million, far below the £73 million they paid to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.

German clubs Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are believed to be interested in bringing Sancho back to the Bundesliga, but his £250,000-per-week wages could be a stumbling block. United may need to subsidize part of his salary to make a deal happen.

Speaking anonymously, a club source told The Sun: “Jadon has quality, no doubt, but the situation at United hasn’t worked. It’s best for both parties to move on — and there is interest across Europe.”

Sancho’s Old Trafford future looks increasingly bleak, with Amorim planning a major squad overhaul.

The winger’s attitude and inconsistency have been sources of concern for the coaching staff, and United are focused on bringing in players who better fit the manager’s high-intensity playing style.

With United eager to generate funds through player sales, Sancho’s departure appears inevitable — though the exact destination remains to be seen.