Manchester United confirm Jadon Sancho loan move - £25m Chelsea buy option explained

Manchester United have confirmed Jadon Sancho’s departure on loan Chelsea, a day after the transfer window shut.

In a peculiar set of circumstances, both clubs waited nearly 24 hours to announce the deal, despite the loan move being finalised in the early hours of Saturday morning. The delay was caused by a hold up in arranging photos of Sancho in a Chelsea kit, while both clubs opted to allow Saturday’s matches to first be completed.

The temporary switch to Stamford Bridge includes and obligation to buy for a fee between £20m and £25m depending on Chelsea’s performance this season, while the Blues are playing the majority of the player’s wages.

“We wish Jadon good luck for the campaign to come,” United said via a brief statement on their website as the loan was announced.

Sancho, who joined the Red Devils three years ago for a fee of £73m, finishes what has been a busy summer of incomings at Stamford Bridge that includes the likes of Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

With Raheem Sterling leaving to join Arsenal on loan, Chelsea somehow managed to find an extra spot in their squad for Sancho on deadline day.

“I’m really excited to be here. London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back,” the 24-year-old told Chelsea’s website.

“The manager spoke to me about the project and, for a young player, it's exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge.”

It’s almost a year to the day since the former Manchester City youth-team star publicly criticised manager Erik ten Hag in a social media post after being left out of a matchday squad against Arsenal. Sancho was subsequently banished from the first-team squad and spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

He was reintegrated into the United squad this summer, but an exit always seemed likely, especially when he was omitted form the opening two matchday squads.

Now a loan to Chelsea is the attacker’s next port of call but he’ll have to wait until after the international break to make his debut for the club.