Chelsea set to trigger £25million clause to complete summer signing | OneFootball

Chelsea Consider Sancho Gamble as Maresca Evaluates Attacking Options

Loan Spell Sparks Reassessment

Chelsea are weighing up whether to make Jadon Sancho’s stay at Stamford Bridge permanent, with iNews reporting that a decision could be made in the coming weeks. The Manchester United winger, who initially struggled to find his rhythm under Enzo Maresca, has since shown signs of revival — enough, perhaps, to shift internal discussions around triggering the £25 million clause negotiated at the start of his loan.

The Blues had previously considered pulling out of the agreement. As reported in March, Chelsea were “considering ripping up the agreement to sign Sancho for £25m at the end of his loan after the Manchester United forward struggled to hit top form for Enzo Maresca’s side.”

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However, sources now suggest the club is rethinking that stance. Performances in the latter stages of the season, most notably in Chelsea’s Europa Conference League final victory over Real Betis, are said to have impressed Maresca.

Maresca’s Growing Belief

According to a source close to the player, “Chelsea may reconsider, with Maresca won over by some recent performances.” The manager’s belief in Sancho’s potential could be a pivotal factor in Chelsea opting to proceed with the deal.

From a financial perspective, the £25m fee is considered reasonable by modern standards for a player of Sancho’s profile. However, Chelsea would still be required to pay £5m in compensation to United should they opt to back out. That clause had not been considered a major deterrent, but it now seems increasingly likely the full agreement will be honoured.

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Maresca’s system places a premium on fluidity and technical precision in wide areas, attributes that Sancho has historically thrived upon when operating with confidence. If his recent resurgence can be sustained, the long-term benefits could outweigh the short-term risk.

United’s Urgency to Offload

From Manchester United’s perspective, the urgency to move Sancho on is mounting. With the club operating under financial constraints and no European football next season, offloading fringe or out-of-favour players is seen as essential to fund incoming business.

Sancho has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen, but as iNews notes, “Erik ten Hag’s appointment as Xabi Alonso’s successor may put pay to that move happening given their fractured relationship.”

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This leaves Chelsea as perhaps the most viable option. United are hopeful that the £25m fee will help facilitate Ruben Amorim’s squad rebuild. The funds would not only ease budgetary pressures but also support a reshaping of the frontline, with targets such as Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko on the radar.

Long-Term Investment or Short-Term Gamble?

For Chelsea, the question remains whether Sancho can return to the heights once expected of him. Still only 24, his talent has never been in doubt, but consistency and mentality have repeatedly been flagged. With Maresca in his corner, however, the environment may finally be conducive to a proper renaissance.

Chelsea have form for backing players through adversity, and Sancho’s case fits that mould. If the deal is finalised, the next challenge will be ensuring that his trajectory continues upward.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Yes, Sancho hasn’t hit the heights people thought he would after arriving to the Premier League from Dortmund, but there’s something different about this moment. He’s been written off by many, yet when you watch him under Maresca, you get the sense something’s building.

That final against Real Betis? That was a different Sancho. He looked sharp, engaged, and most importantly, trusted. If Maresca sees the potential to build around that version of Sancho, then £25 million starts to look like a no-brainer. He’s still young, still coachable, and clearly hungry to prove a point.

And let’s be honest — this feels like one of those transfers that could go down as a masterstroke or a missed opportunity depending on the gamble. But that’s the sort of risk Chelsea need to be taking right now. Smart, strategic risks that show faith in talent. Sancho could be the difference in those tight European games next season.

In a market that’s spiralling, finding value is rare. Sancho, at £25 million, might just be that piece of gold hiding under the surface.