Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho has officially joined Chelsea on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy included in the deal after a day of intense negotiations. The 23-year-old’s move to Stamford Bridge was finalized just before the transfer window deadline, capping off a dramatic day of talks between the two clubs.

Chelsea and United were in discussions throughout Friday, working to secure an agreement for Sancho’s transfer. A deal sheet was submitted before the 11pm deadline, allowing the clubs an additional two hours to finalize the details. The agreement means that Sancho will move to Chelsea on loan for the season, with the deal set to become permanent in June 2025 for a fee that could rise to £25 million.

Sancho’s move comes after a summer where United were open to selling him, despite manager Erik ten Hag’s public statements about welcoming the winger back into the squad. Ten Hag had suggested that Sancho would remain part of the team, noting the need for squad depth given United’s packed schedule. However, behind the scenes, United were ready to part ways with the player they signed for £72.9 million in 2021.

Throughout his time at United, Sancho showed only glimpses of the talent that made him one of the most sought-after young players in Europe. His record of 12 goals in 83 appearances falls short of expectations, leading to growing frustration at Old Trafford. Despite this, Sancho did have memorable moments, including scoring against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during his first season with United.

There was also interest in Sancho from Juventus earlier in the summer, and United even explored a potential swap deal with Chelsea involving Raheem Sterling. Ultimately, it was Chelsea who secured the player, seeing potential in Sancho to reignite his career under their management.

As Sancho embarks on this new chapter with Chelsea, both clubs will be watching closely to see if the winger can rediscover the form that made him a star at Borussia Dortmund. The move offers Sancho a fresh start, and Chelsea will hope that their investment pays off as they integrate him into their squad.