Chelsea weigh £25m Sancho clause as Maresca prepares final talks

Following Chelsea’s 4–1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final, head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that the club will soon meet to decide Jadon Sancho’s future. The winger, who joined on loan from Manchester United late in the summer window, is subject to a £25 million purchase obligation that has now been activated due to Chelsea’s league finish.

Speaking after the final, Maresca said discussions with the board are scheduled within 48 hours:

“We’ll decide what happens next season, but Jadon’s contribution this year has been invaluable. The Champions League spot and this trophy owe a lot to him.”

The contract clause: performance trigger and release option

Sancho spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Chelsea, but this was no ordinary deal. According to The Telegraph, the agreement included a performance-based clause: if Chelsea finished above 14th in the Premier League, the £25 million obligation to buy would automatically be triggered—which it was in the final weeks of the season.

However, the club retains flexibility. Chelsea can still exit the deal by paying a £5 million penalty fee. A third option under discussion involves signing Sancho permanently and then listing him for a short-term resale, particularly to Bundesliga clubs.

Yet according to Sport Bild, former club Borussia Dortmund are not currently planning a move. The German side already have several young wingers and are prioritising other areas in the transfer market.

From exile to three clubs in a season

Sancho was sidelined by Manchester United in the summer of 2023 following a fallout with manager Erik ten Hag. In January 2024, he returned to Borussia Dortmund on a half-season loan. That stint was short-lived, and on the final day of the 2024 summer window, Chelsea brought him in on loan.

Though his form fluctuated, Sancho proved decisive at key moments. Coming off the bench in the final, he scored Chelsea’s third goal—breaking open a tense contest and setting the tone for a 4–1 win.

Maresca defended his player post-match:

“Inconsistency is normal over a long season. What matters is what you deliver in the big games—and Jadon delivered.”

Decision expected within the week

Chelsea’s board is expected to announce a decision on Sancho in the coming days, following internal reviews by the technical staff and financial team. For now, the club’s future plans remain under discussion.