Chelsea's £25m obligation to buy Jadon Sancho from Manchester United has reportedly triggered thanks to their win over Fulham, but the Blues can still back out of the deal.
Enzo Maresca's men dramatically fought back from a goal down to take all of the spoils in Sunday's West London derby, as Tyrique George and Pedro Neto cancelled out an Alex Iwobi opener.
Sancho came on for the second half of that all-capital clash at Craven Cottage, but the 25-year-old could not build on an underwhelming tally of Premier League contributions in a Chelsea kit.
Sancho made a positive impression upon his arrival from Old Trafford last summer, but he has only come up with one goal and one assist in his last 18 appearances for Maresca's side in the top flight.
Overall, the former Borussia Dortmund man has three goals and a respectable 10 assists for the West London giants, who agreed to sign him for £25m if certain conditions were met this season.
Chelsea's £25m Sancho deal 'triggered' thanks to league position
© Imago
Now, journalist Ben Jacobs claims that the Blues' £25m obligation has been activated, as the condition was that Chelsea had to finish above 15th in the Premier League table for the clause to come into effect.
However, there is a chance that the winger may not be remaining at Stamford Bridge for the 2025-26 season, as Chelsea could instead pay a penalty fee of £5m to Man United to send him back.
Jacobs adds that the Blues have not yet made a decision on Sancho's future and will do so at the end of the season, as the club's focus right now is on the top-five fight in the Premier League and Conference League.
Chelsea's success on Sunday left them fifth in the top-flight table, above Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest on goal difference, and they will battle Djurgarden in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final in two Thursdays' time.
What next for Sancho if Chelsea back out of deal?
Chelsea's win over Fulham means an obligation to buy Jadon Sancho of up to £25m has now kicked in. It is triggered providing Chelsea finish above 15th, which is now mathematically guaranteed to be the case.
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 20, 2025
However, Chelsea can override the obligation by paying #MUFC a fee of... pic.twitter.com/a6YmHWgxAr
Unless Sancho can magically reverse his fortunes in the final few weeks of the season, it would not be a shock to see Chelsea take the £5m hit as opposed to honouring their £25m agreement.
If the England international is sent back to Old Trafford, it would be fascinating to see whether he is given a lifeline under Ruben Amorim, whose 3-4-3 system with two number 10s behind the striker could work to Sancho's strengths.
However, as his contract only runs until 2026 with no extension in sight, the Red Devils hierarchy will likely do their utmost to sell him this summer and recoup a portion of the £73m they paid for him in 2021.
The ex-Manchester City youngster could reportedly be offered an escape route by a surprise Premier League club, one that may also open the door to a blockbuster part-exchange deal involving two attackers.
Sancho only boasts 12 goals and six assists from 83 appearances for Man United, whom he last played for in the 2024 Community Shield loss to Manchester City.
Ben Knapton
