Chelsea will have to pay Manchester United £5million if they do not complete the signing of winger Jadon Sancho permanently.
Sancho moved to Stamford Bridge last summer on a season-long loan deal, which included an obligation to buy for up to £25m.
But as part of the agreement it was decided that Chelsea could opt against proceeding with the full transfer by giving United a set fee.
Relations between Chelsea and Sancho are strong and the club’s intention to sign a new winger in the upcoming market relates more to uncertainly over Mikhailo Mudryk’s availability.
The 24-year-old had a positive start to life at Chelsea, assisting in his first three Premier League games for the club.
However, the winger has struggled to maintain that form, scoring just two goals and providing one assist in the 23 Premier League games since that three-game run.
In January, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca, who worked with Sancho while they were both at Manchester City, praised Sancho’s debut season at Stamford Bridge
“For me he’s doing very well,” Maresca said. “I am quite surprised with Jadon, because I knew Jadon already (from seeing him at his previous clubs) and I know what I expected from him, but in terms of being consistent, he’s doing very well.
“Apart from a short part of the season (early November) when he had some problems. When he was out ill but for the rest he has been very good.
“I expected him to do well, but for all the players doing well for a long period is not easy, and he has been doing well for a long period already. He’s doing well, now he just needs to continue going in that way.”
Chelsea, who are fourth in the Premier League a point ahead of fifth place Man City, face Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on April 3.
(Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
