Chelsea can pay £5m ‘get-out’ clause not to sign Jadon Sancho from Man Utd

Jadon Sancho of Chelsea during the Premier League match against Arsenal on March 16, 2025 — Jadon Sancho has managed just two goals and one assist in his 23 Premier League games for Chelsea - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty clause if they opt against signing Jadon Sancho permanently at the end of the season.

Sancho, who will turn 25 on Tuesday, joined Chelsea on a season-long loan last summer.

The deal includes an obligation for the west London club to buy Sancho for between £20 million and £25 million as they long as they finish in the top 14 of the Premier League, which they are firmly expected to do.

However, Chelsea have an effective “get out” in the agreement that would permit them to pull out of plans to sign Sancho if they pay United a £5 million penalty.

Chelsea could still sign Sancho permanently at the end of the season but they have the option to back out of a deal, albeit at a premium, should they wish to do so.

The Stamford Bridge outfit are understood to be in the market for a winger this summer although there have been reports that relates more to the uncertainty over Mykhailo Mudryk’s availability than anything else.

The Ukraine winger was provisionally suspended by the FA in December after testing positive for a banned substance. In a statement, Mudryk denied knowingly breaking any rules.

Sancho started brightly at Chelsea but has struggled to maintain that encouraging early form. He has managed just two goals and one assist in his last 23 Premier League games.

Chelsea are fourth in the league, a point ahead of Manchester City, and face Tottenham in their next league outing at Stamford Bridge on April 3.

United are hoping to offload a series of players this summer to raise funds to reinvest in their squad. They have earmarked the sale of Sancho as part of that while other attackers such as Marcus Rashford and Antony could also potentially leave.

Sancho has endured a troubled time at Old Trafford since joining from Borussia Dortmund for £73 million in 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager.

He had a falling-out with former manager Erik ten Hag that led to him being exiled from the first team. There was a rapprochement of sorts last summer before Sancho joined Chelsea on loan. Ten Hag was then sacked in the October by United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the United co owner, name-checked Sancho this month when he talked about players his Ineos regime had inherited and the club still owed money on.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

Topics

Why a permanent Chelsea move for Sancho is no longer certain

With talk of Chelsea paying a £5m clause not to sign Jadon Sancho permanently from Man Utd, BBC Sport looks at the factors.
BBC News - 1d
Chelsea eye permanent Sancho deal despite cancel clause: reports

Chelsea are willing to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal from Manchester United despite a £5 million ($6.4 million) clause that would allow them to cancel the deal, according to reports on ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Source: Chelsea can return Sancho for $6.5m

Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United a fee of £5 million if they back out of the deal to sign Jadon Sancho permanently this summer, a source has told ESPN.
ESPN - 3h
Jadon Sancho: Chelsea make decision on Man United transfer

Jadon Sancho could remain a Chelsea player after all, despite the revelation there’s an opt-out clause in the deal agreed with Manchester United. When the Blues signed the winger on loan last summe...
Yahoo Sports - 8h
Chelsea consider ‘penalty fee’ to avoid Sancho signing

Chelsea are considering paying Manchester United a ‘penalty fee’ to avoid the permanent signing of Jadon Sancho.Chelsea signed Sancho on loan from Manchester United last summer with an obligation ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Report: Chelsea Face £5m Dilemma Over Jadon Sancho Loan Deal

Jadon Sancho’s Future at Chelsea Raises Questions Over Transfer StrategySancho’s Chelsea Situation: More Than Just NumbersChelsea’s loan deal for Jadon Sancho always had an intriguing clause, an...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Sky Sports confirms Chelsea plans for Jadon Sancho – So what now for Man Utd?

After weeks of never-ending speculations, Chelsea’s plans for Manchester United flop Jadon Sancho have been revealed.After three disappointing years at Old Trafford, the 24-year-old sealed a loan ...
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Position change suggested for Chelsea star who has just 3 G/A since October

There are whispers all over the internet that Chelsea are considering paying a penalty to cancel the permanent transfer clause in Jadon Sancho’s loan contract from Manchester United after being ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Chelsea ready to take extreme measures to hand major transfer headache to Manchester United

Chelsea are reportedly so desperate to get out of signing Jadon Sancho permanently that they would be prepared to pay a penalty fee to get out of the deal.The England international is currently on ...
Yahoo Sports - 6d