Jadon Sancho’s three transfer options after Chelsea pay Man Utd to avoid having to sign him

Manchester United misfit Jadon Sancho could be heading to Saudi Arabia this summer after Chelsea decided against re-signing the player.

The England international has been left in a state of uncertainty but has at least three options ahead of him. Chelsea chose to pay United a £5million penalty fee instead of triggering the £25m obligatory clause as part of the loan deal agreed last summer.

And that underlines precisely what the decision-makers at Stamford Bridge thought of the player’s tenure in west London. Sancho, 25, had an inconsistent season but did manage to find the back of the net in the Blues’ Europa Conference League final victory over Real Betis last week.

Not that it was enough to convince Chelsea to invest further – at least not in keeping him. Enzo Maresca was reportedly eager to retain the winger, but the Blues’ top brass were unwilling to meet the player’s demands for £300,000-a-week wages.

United were drawn into the discussion about whether they would cover some of the wages remaining on his deal, which expires next summer. However, they chose not to step in and will instead pocket the £5m fine as they hope to sell him elsewhere.

United still owe Borussia Dortmund nearly £17m in unpaid fees from the £75m deal to sign him in 2021. No leading European clubs are likely to consider signing the player on those wages, and Sancho has seemingly demonstrated he’s unwilling to accept a pay cut by refusing lesser terms at Chelsea.

This suggests that his most probable destination this summer could be a move to Saudi Arabia. And the move appears to be on the cards as the Mirror reported three Saudi giants are showing interest: Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr.

Sancho has connections to high-profile figures in the Saudi Pro-League, which could help facilitate a deal. That would be music to United’s ears, especially if they manage to recoup a significant portion of their initial transfer fee.

Manager Ruben Amorim has no plans to bring the player back into his squad as they continue their pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo. United already secured the £62.5m signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves but appear eager to keep adding to their attack.

The Red Devils are keen to sell in order to boost their funds for a summer overhaul, with Sancho’s sale a big opportunity in that regard. And they’re hopeful a Saudi offer could at least match the £25m they were set to receive from Chelsea.

However, the £5m penalty fee they’ve pocketed already provides them with a little added budget flexibility. This could be used to top up the player’s salary at another club if they fail to secure a deal with a Saudi heavyweight.

United are not keen on loaning Sancho out for the final year of his contract only to see him leave on a free transfer next summer. However, the player himself is not opposed to this idea as it would give him a choice of clubs next summer.