Bayer Leverkusen ‘eye-up shock move for Man United outcast’ – but transfer could be scuppered by ONE major issue
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly contemplating a shock move to sign Jadon Sancho this summer.
Sancho, 25, is at somewhat of a crossroads in his career, with the Manchester United winger having had a limited impact on loan at Chelsea this season.
The English star moved to Stamford Bridge last summer after being exiled at Old Trafford, but he has scored just three goals and added five assists in the Premier League.
Chelsea have an obligation to buy Sancho for £23million at the end of the season, but Mail Sport has previously reported how Enzo Maresca’s side can pay a £5m penalty to prevent that transfer from taking place.
It remains to be seen whether the Blues will do so, but if not, The Independent have claimed that German side Leverkusen may give Sancho a chance to re-ignite his career.
Sancho, who joined United from Borussia Dortmund for £73m in 2021, has badly struggled to replicate the form he showed in two spells in Germany, where he scored 53 times and added 67 assists in 153 games across a four-year stint between 2017 and 2021 and a loan spell in the second half of last season.
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly contemplating a move to sign Jadon Sancho this summer
Sancho has been on loan at Chelsea this season and could join permanently in the summer
Sancho has been out of favour at United since a public falling-out with Erik ten Hag in 2023
The report claims Leverkusen are pondering a move for Sancho given his previous impact on the Bundesliga.
Some Italian clubs are also showing an interest, but Dortmund have reportedly decided not to go back in for their former star.
United’s financial concerns have been well-documented, particularly after losing Wednesday’s Europa League final to Tottenham – and Sancho has long been available for transfer amid their need to sell players.
Sancho’s United career fell apart over a public argument with former boss Erik ten Hag.
After a defeat by Arsenal in September 2023, the Dutchman hit out at the winger’s training performances.
However, Sancho hit back and accused Ten Hag of lying, claiming he had been made a ‘scapegoat’, and refused to apologise – with the winger subsequently frozen out.
This means that there is one major factor that could scupper any move to Leverkusen.
Amid Xabi Alonso’s impending departure to Real Madrid, Leverkusen are contemplating their next boss and have been drawing up a shortlist.
Enzo Maresca has remained tight-lipped over whether Chelsea will sign Sancho permanently
But if Erik ten Hag was appointed by Bayer Leverkusen, that would likely scupper any move
The caveat is that Ten Hag is on that shortlist and some outlets have reported the Dutchman is at the top, meaning his appointment would likely scupper any interest in Sancho.
Meanwhile, speaking last month, Chelsea boss Maresca remained tight-lipped when pressed on his position regarding Sancho joining permanently.
‘(It is) not the moment to discuss his future,’ he said. ‘I’m completely focused about nine games, two months to go, I’m completely focused about that. Then what happens in summer, we’ll see.
‘The Jadon situation doesn’t change. In terms of numbers, he could do better, no doubt. It is not just about Jadon but we have more players in the same situation.’
