Sancho chooses Napoli as his next destination: Juventus and Dortmund out of the race

Napoli’s priority: Sancho wants a fresh start in Italy

Jadon Sancho has returned to Manchester United after his loan spell at Chelsea, but the English winger’s future remains uncertain. According to Sky Sport Italia and The Sun, the 25-year-old is reportedly keen to continue his career in Italy this summer and has set his sights on Napoli. The early contact initiated by the Serie A champions and the project Napoli are building under Conte has made this option more appealing to Sancho than other clubs.

Juventus fall behind, Napoli in direct contact

Sancho had also been linked with Juventus. According to Sky Sport Italia, Napoli were the first club to establish direct contact with the player, while Juventus only approached Manchester United to explore the conditions of a potential transfer. Sky Sports also reports that Juventus have yet to hold direct talks with the player himself, having only opened discussions at club level. In contrast, Napoli are said to have spoken directly with Sancho’s representatives regarding personal terms. This approach has made Napoli the more attractive option in the eyes of the player.

Chelsea stint failed to meet expectations

During his loan spell at Chelsea, Sancho featured in a total of 42 official matches in the 2024/25 season. The 25-year-old winger registered 5 goals and 10 assists during this period. Although he showed glimpses of quality, he generally fell short in terms of consistency. As a result, Chelsea opted not to pursue a permanent deal at the end of the season.

United decide to sell: Sancho seeks new club

The club paid a £5 million penalty to withdraw from the £25 million purchase obligation included in the loan agreement with Manchester United. In an official statement, Chelsea confirmed the end of Sancho’s loan spell and his return to the club, adding that the disagreement stemmed from personal terms. Following this development, Manchester United are now looking for a permanent buyer for the player. According to The Sun, the club plans to part ways with several players this summer, including Sancho, as part of their squad overhaul.

Napoli also targeting Garnacho and Højlund

Sancho is not the only Manchester United player on Napoli’s radar. With Antonio Conte now in charge, the Italian side are also monitoring Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund. According to TalkSport, Napoli showed serious interest in Garnacho during the January window, but the £60–70 million price tag demanded by Manchester United blocked the move. As reported by Sports Illustrated, Sancho’s significantly lower cost makes him a more accessible option for Napoli.

Official contact made for Højlund

Napoli have also made official contact regarding Rasmus Højlund. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian club held direct talks with Manchester United over the Danish striker. Napoli, who are in search of a centre-forward suited to Conte’s system, have sounded out the player’s situation, with preliminary talks said to be positive.

Kehl responds to Dortmund rumours

There had also been speculation linking German side Borussia Dortmund with a renewed interest in Sancho. However, sporting director Sebastian Kehl clearly denied these rumours. “Sancho is not a topic for us right now. Of course, we share a history with him, but our current focus lies elsewhere,” said Kehl, shutting down talk of a potential return.

Napoli prepared after Kvaratskhelia sale

The sale of Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain for €70 million has given Napoli significant financial resources for the transfer window. This budget allows the club to pursue targets like Sancho and Højlund. Under Conte’s leadership, Napoli are expected to engage in an intense transfer dialogue with Manchester United this summer.