Manchester United have finally managed to offload Jadon Sancho once again, this time sending the winger on loan to Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.
The 25-year-old has endured a turbulent spell at Old Trafford since his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
After falling out of favour under Erik ten Hag in 2023, United have spent nearly two seasons trying to engineer his departure.
Permanent exits have repeatedly collapsed, leaving the club with little choice but to pursue loan solutions.
Manchester United have finally managed to offload Jadon Sancho once again, this time sending the winger on loan to Aston Villa for the remainder of the season
|PA
Last season, Sancho was shipped out to Chelsea on a short-term deal. But after struggling to make an impression at Stamford Bridge, the Blues opted to send him back early, paying £5m to cut the arrangement short rather than activating the £25m buy option United had attached.
Earlier this summer, AS Roma appeared close to signing him permanently, only for Sancho to reject the move to Serie A.
With the English transfer window down to its final hours, United finally struck a deal with Aston Villa that ensures Sancho at least spends the campaign elsewhere.
For United, who were desperate to avoid another year of paying his sizeable wages while he sat on the fringes, the move represents a small but important financial victory.
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Sancho’s contract is worth more than £250,000 per week, making him one of the higher earners at Old Trafford.
According to Sky Sports, Villa have agreed to cover around 80 per cent of those wages until June while also paying a loan fee.
The Guardian add that, depending on performance-related bonuses, Villa could end up shouldering his entire salary.
For United, who had been holding out for a £20–25m transfer fee all summer, this arrangement is far from ideal.
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Man Utd have been trying to get rid of Jadon Sancho ever since he fell out with Erik ten Hag
| PAHowever, given the timing, it removes a considerable financial burden and buys the club time to revisit Sancho’s future next summer.
What complicates matters further is Sancho’s contract situation.
His current deal runs until 2026, but with the option of a one-year extension.
Villa’s loan does not include a purchase clause, meaning that if Sancho enjoys a revival under Unai Emery, United could trigger the extension and look to cash in at the end of the season.
If they fail to do so, Sancho could walk away as a free agent in less than two years, representing a significant financial loss on a player once regarded as one of Europe’s brightest prospects.
For Aston Villa, the deal is seen as a calculated gamble.
Emery has built a reputation for reviving struggling players, and Villa’s participation in the Europa League this season adds to the attraction for Sancho.
The winger will be keen to re-establish his reputation at the highest level, especially with the 2026 World Cup creeping closer.
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Jadon Sancho enjoyed a succesful loan spell at Chelsea last campaign and will now be hoping to shine at Aston Villa
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Meanwhile, in other transfer news, United are in talks with Villa over a deal for Emiliano Martinez.
The goalkeeper is wanted at Old Trafford amid the poor performances of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. However, Senne Lammens may end up arriving instead.