“I’m told..” – Journalist says Aston Villa set to sign £300,000-a-week star Emery loves, and the deal is moving very fast
Jadon Sancho Open to Aston Villa Move Amid Uncertain Manchester United Future
Jadon Sancho is reportedly receptive to a potential move to Aston Villa as his time at Manchester United appears all but over. The England international, who once carried a hefty price tag and even loftier expectations, seems to be exploring new options for the upcoming season following a turbulent period at Old Trafford.
Sancho, 25, spent the previous campaign on loan at Chelsea. While there were flashes of his former brilliance, the stint failed to convince the Blues to trigger their £25 million obligation-to-buy clause. Instead, Chelsea opted to pay a £5 million penalty fee to avoid signing him permanently. One of the main stumbling blocks was Sancho’s reported £300,000-per-week salary—a figure few clubs are currently willing to match. His high wages, coupled with a series of off-the-pitch issues, have effectively closed the door on any reintegration into the Manchester United squad.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, via United in Focus, Sancho’s representatives are actively seeking a resolution for the winger’s future, and Aston Villa has emerged as a serious contender. A loan move to Villa Park could mirror the deal that saw Marcus Rashford temporarily link up with Unai Emery’s side last season. That arrangement helped revive Rashford’s form and stature, suggesting a similar revival could be possible for Sancho under Emery’s guidance.
Sancho’s time at Chelsea was arguably his best spell in English football thus far, although it still fell short of expectations. After his £73 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to United, many anticipated he would become a central figure in the Red Devils’ attack. Instead, inconsistency and clashes with management have marred his tenure.
Despite this, Sancho retains admirers within the footballing world—among them, Unai Emery. The Aston Villa manager is said to be intrigued by the opportunity to work with Sancho, particularly given his recent success with players like Rashford and Marco Asensio on short-term deals. Bailey noted, “I’m told that one of the clubs open to a potential move for Sancho are Villa. We saw how effective their loan moves were last season, and Sancho is now a name firmly on their radar. Emery is a fan of his skill set.”
Still, any move for Sancho will be complex due to his considerable wages. Manchester United may be required to cover a portion of his salary if they want to facilitate a loan or transfer elsewhere. Borussia Dortmund, Sancho’s former club, is also reportedly interested in bringing him back. However, similar to Chelsea, they would prefer a loan arrangement rather than a permanent deal.
The comparison between Rashford’s brief stint at Villa and Sancho’s time at Stamford Bridge is noteworthy. Neither player saw their loan spells end in a permanent move, though both showed glimpses of their potential. Rashford’s £40 million buy option was ultimately left on the table, and Sancho, who reportedly criticized Manchester United during his Chelsea stay, appears to have little chance of redemption under new manager Ruben Amorim.
With just one year remaining on his contract, Manchester United are under pressure to resolve Sancho’s future. Though he has also been linked with a big-money switch to the Saudi Pro League, sources suggest he prefers to remain in Europe, where he can compete at a higher level and potentially re-establish himself on the international stage.
Aston Villa are also exploring other options in the forward department. The club is believed to be in discussions with Spanish side Real Betis regarding a move for talented youngster Jesús Rodríguez. However, Sancho remains a prominent name on their shortlist as they prepare for a campaign that includes European competition and higher expectations domestically.
As the summer transfer window heats up, Sancho’s next move could be critical—not only for his career trajectory but also for Manchester United’s squad planning and wage structure.