The winger faces a huge decision on his future after failing to agree a permanent transfer to Stamford Bridge

Another summer, another transfer window where Jadon Sancho finds his future up in the air. Having been unable to negotiate a permanent contract at Chelsea after an indifferent loan spell in west London, the Manchester United outcast will once again weigh up his options in the coming months.

Despite the Blues' openness to keeping him, the winger's £300,000-per-week wages have put paid to a long-term stay at Stamford Bridge and he now finds himself in limbo with one year remaining on his lucrative deal at Old Trafford. Chelsea even paid a £5 million penalty fee to send him back, as they reneged on the £25m ($34m) obligation to buy that they agreed last year.

However, it seems Sancho did enough during his loan spell to ensure that he will have plenty of options on the table when he comes to choose his next move. It's a decision he must get right as he risks his once prodigious career drifting into obscurity.

Getty Images SportAbrupt ending

The emergence of a get-out clause in Chelsea's loan-to-buy agreement with United back in March – in the midst of a barren spell where Sancho hadn't scored or provided an assist since early January – immediately cast doubt over the winger's future, although reports suggested the Blues were still minded to keep him.

Sancho was more impactful towards the end of the season, especially in the Conference League, and after a goal in the 4-1 win over Real Betis in the final of the competition in Wroclaw, it seemed Chelsea had been convinced to hold onto him, with the £25m obligation to buy still representing fairly good value in today's market.

However, it was in negotiations over a permanent transfer that things went awry as the Blues were unable to reach an agreement on personal terms with Sancho and his representatives, bringing an abrupt end to his time in west London as that £5m penalty fee was incurred to send him back to Old Trafford.

That is undoubtedly a consequence of the player's supposed £300,000-per-week wages at United, although it had been reported that he would be willing to take a pay cut to make the deal happen when he first moved on loan in August last year.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesDivisive season

Sancho's legacy at Chelsea is a complex one given he only lasted a season; an inconsistent campaign belied the very fast start he made to life at Stamford Bridge, when he provided four assists in his first three Premier League appearances and eventually returned six goal contributions in his first nine league games.

The Blues had soared as high as second by that point, but Sancho and most of Enzo Maresca's squad seemed to suffer a simultaneous crisis of confidence as their form dipped alarmingly, ultimately leading to a scrap for a top-four place. The winger scored just once more in the league all season after December.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old's work ethic, attitude and European exploits made him a popular figure with both his head coach and the fans. "Jadon Sancho, if we finished fourth, it's because of Jadon, if we won tonight it’s because of Jadon," Maresca said after the Conference League final. "During the season, everyone is up and down a little bit, that’s part of the game."

However, others on the outside were far more scathing. "Jadon Sancho at Chelsea, for me, he flopped because he was given an opportunity to play at a top club and show everyone what he was capable of, but he didn't do it," former Blues defender William Gallas told

'Truly grateful'

Despite some strong opinions on his time at Stamford Bridge, Sancho has arguably done his reputation no harm with a steady-if-unspectacular spell back in England, which he capped with a goal in the Conference League final triumph.

Indeed, his message to the club following his exit sort of reflected that; he was simply appreciative of the opportunity to play Premier League football regularly and continue to get his career back on track after his successful half-season at Borussia Dortmund in 2023-24.

"Grateful for the experience," the winger wrote on social media. "Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home – team-mates, staff and the fans. Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful. Thank you, Blues."

He may not have set the world alight, but Sancho now has something tangible to build on at his next club, wherever that may be.

Getty No Man Utd future

The question of where Sancho will continue his career is one that United in particular will be keen to find an answer to quickly. Despite his old adversary Erik ten Hag being replaced by Ruben Amorim in the dugout, it is unlikely in the extreme that the outcast will remain at Old Trafford.

Indeed, it has been reported that Amorim – whose preferred 3-4-3 shape doesn't incorporate out-and-out wingers – has no plans to reintegrate Sancho after his enforced return, having already signed Wolves' Matheus Cunha to play as a wide No.10 and with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on the way.

United will be determined to find a permanent solution this summer as Sancho enters the final year of his contract. Another loan – something the player is supposedly open to – would mean he could walk away for absolutely nothing in 2026; that is unthinkable given the £73m ($100m) the club splurged on him in 2021.