Jadon Sancho is leaving Chelsea when his contract ends on June 30 after an agreement could not be reached over personal terms for the winger’s loan move to become permanent.
Sancho, 25, joined from Manchester United last summer in a temporary transfer that featured an obligation to buy worth up to £25million.
But it would still require a deal between Chelsea and the player, which has failed to materialise and opens up the door to Sancho’s departure.
If the west London club opted against the acquisition they would face a £5million penalty charge and that payment will now be incurred.
Sancho has options in England and elsewhere around Europe, which he is expected to explore before making a decision as to his next step.
Despite the situation, Sancho remains popular at Stamford Bridge having helped Chelsea to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League securing qualification for next season’s Champions League and scored in their UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis.
Sancho scored five goals and provided ten assists in 42 games for Chelsea with Maresca praising his contribution to the side’s achievements.
Also Read:Jadon Sancho: Modest Fee Chelsea Can Pay Manchester United to Break Obligation
“From now on is when we sit down with the club and decide about next year,” he told TNT Sports after the Conference League final of when a decision would be made.
“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.”
Sancho has made 83 appearances for Manchester United after joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021 in an £85m deal.
He previously came through the academy system at both Watford and Manchester City before his move to Germany in 2017.
Jadon Sancho’s season at Chelsea was bookended by thrilling cameos: he introduced himself by coming off the bench to set up the winner and hear his name sung against Bournemouth in September, and signed off with the goal that made sure of UEFA Conference League triumph over Real Betis in Wroclaw.
The frustration, if there is one, is that Sancho produced so few memorable moments in between those.
Brilliant strikes against Tottenham and Ipswich Town underlined his rare talent, but there were also long stretches in which it was too easy to forget he was on the pitch.
Sancho fell short of establishing himself as a no-brainer for Chelsea to sign permanently, and particularly on anything approaching his United salary.
But he ends this short stint back in London with his reputation improved and with a winners’ medal in his pocket. There will be no bad feeling.
