Jadon Sancho has been tipped to sign for a Premier League club this summer after Manchester United announced he would be leaving Old Trafford. United confirmed their retained list of players on Wednesday, with Sancho, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia the three senior stars to be released. This ends the winger’s disastrous five-year spell with the Red Devils, marking one of the most disappointing transfers in the club’s history.
Considered one of the world’s best young players at the time, much was expected of Sancho following his £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund. However, he managed just 12 goals and six assists in 83 appearances. A public falling out with manager Erik ten Hag in 2023 effectively ended his United career, leading to loan spells over the last two-and-a-half seasons where he failed to recapture his best form.
The England international returned to Dortmund and reached the Champions League final before joining Chelsea and winning the Conference League, only for the Blues to pay a £5 million penalty to avoid signing him permanently. He lifted the Europa League with Aston Villa last season, but after just four goal contributions in 39 appearances, it looks unlikely Unai Emery will re-sign him this summer. Another return to Dortmund has been mooted, but reports suggest the Bundesliga giants have cooled their interest, leaving the 26-year-old at a crossroads.
Alan Pardew’s assessment
Former West Ham, Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes there will be plenty of interest in Sancho from Premier League clubs despite his struggles. Speaking on talkSPORT, Pardew said: ‘He hasn’t really done enough to warrant a massive, massive contract like he was on at Manchester United, but he’ll get a good move.’
Asked if Crystal Palace, who won the Conference League in May and will play in the Europa League next season, would be a good fit, Pardew replied: ‘I think that will be the kind of club that he’ll go to. That mid-section of the Premier League. I don’t think he’s going to get a move to one of the top six clubs.’
Next club odds
- Aston Villa – 4/1
- Chelsea, Any German club – 5/1
- Arsenal, Tottenham – 8/1
- Liverpool – 10/1
- Man City – 14/1
- Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Brentford – 16/1
United had the option of extending Sancho’s contract by a year to negotiate a transfer fee but chose not to, leaving him a free agent. In a statement, United said: ‘Jadon Sancho arrived at Old Trafford in 2021 and was part of the 2023 Carabao Cup-winning side. The winger played 83 times for the club before he returned to Borussia Dortmund on loan and also made temporary moves to Chelsea and Aston Villa. Everyone at the club would like to thank Casemiro, Tyrell and Jadon for their contributions and wish them the very best of luck for the future.’
Pardew added: ‘When you get to the end of the season, it is an opportunity. You have to make some really tough calls on who to renegotiate with because obviously there’s a value to the football club. You might actually as a manager want them to go, but the club have a financial interest in them, and wants some money back and get them to re-sign one more year. Let’s see if we can move him on. It’ll be good for you for the year. You have to have all those kinds of debates.’
