Jadon Sancho’s future has become the summer’s most compelling football transfer saga, as the Manchester United winger’s potential move to AS Roma took a dramatic turn this week. Despite a flurry of negotiations, conference calls, and even a full agreement between clubs, Sancho’s reluctance has left both clubs and fans in suspense just days before the transfer window slams shut.
On August 14, 2025, AS Roma made headlines by submitting a £20 million bid for Jadon Sancho, the talented 25-year-old Manchester United forward. Sancho, who spent the majority of the 2024-2025 season on loan at Chelsea, had been a key figure in the Blues’ triumphant UEFA Europa Conference League campaign. He played an impressive 41 games, netting five goals and delivering ten assists, helping Chelsea lift the trophy in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025. Yet, despite his contributions, Chelsea opted not to pursue a permanent move, even paying a fee to ensure Sancho’s loan ended with the season. He was left out of Enzo Maresca’s Club World Cup squad, signaling that his future lay elsewhere.
Sancho’s return to Manchester United was anything but smooth. Labeled as part of the so-called ‘bomb squad’ at Old Trafford—a group of players deemed surplus to requirements—the winger found himself at a crossroads. Manchester United, eager to trim their wage bill and shift an unsettled player, were keen to see Sancho leave on a permanent basis. The £20 million bid from Roma, while significantly less than United’s initial outlay for the England international, represented a chance for all parties to move on.
Initially, the deal seemed straightforward. By August 18, 2025, Roma and Manchester United had reached a full agreement on the transfer fee, and even agent fees had been settled. Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini took a personal interest, speaking directly with Sancho during two separate conference calls. According to sources with direct knowledge, Roma expected a positive answer from Sancho that morning. The Giallorossi were ready to welcome a player of his caliber, hoping he could provide the spark needed to elevate their attack for the upcoming Serie A season.
But football transfers are rarely simple, and this one was no exception. Instead of giving Roma the green light, Sancho asked for more time to consider the offer. This hesitation mirrored his approach with other interested clubs, as he weighed his options with the transfer window ticking down. For Roma, the delay was more than a minor inconvenience. The club had already made significant efforts to secure the deal, including negotiating with Sancho’s representatives and offering terms they believed would be satisfactory. Their patience, however, began to wear thin.
Why the reluctance? Reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport shed light on the player’s mindset. Sancho, born in 2000 and with a reputation as one of England’s most gifted wingers, was not convinced that Roma was the right step for his career. Two key factors emerged: he was unwilling to take a pay cut, and he had a strong preference to play in the UEFA Champions League—a competition Roma could not offer him this season. With his high wages already a sticking point for Manchester United, Sancho’s demands added another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
Roma, sensing that the deal might be slipping away, began to explore alternatives. Sporting director Massara, well-versed in the French football market, reportedly turned his attention to Jonathan Rowe, the English winger currently at Marseille. Rowe, who has had his own disputes with coach De Zerbi, fits the profile Roma are seeking. Massara’s familiarity with Rowe and the urgency to avoid losing out to Premier League suitors meant that Roma might pivot quickly if Sancho did not signal openness to the move within 48 hours from August 18.
The situation escalated further when, on August 18, reports confirmed that Sancho had outright rejected Roma’s loan-to-buy offer—valued at around £20 million, including an option to buy. This was not the only door he closed; Sancho also ruled out a potential transfer to Turkish side Besiktas, narrowing his options as the clock continued to tick. For Manchester United, the saga has become a source of mounting frustration. The club’s efforts to move on from an outcast winger have been stymied, with Sancho’s future remaining unresolved and the transfer window’s end looming ever closer.
“Sancho has taken time, as he’s done with all other clubs interested in securing his services,” a source familiar with the negotiations revealed. This measured approach has left Roma in a bind—do they wait for Sancho to change his mind, or do they press ahead with alternative targets? Roma’s willingness to walk away from the deal may be a tactical move to pressure the player, but it also reflects the club’s determination not to be held hostage by indecision.
For Sancho, the crossroads is clear. After a season of highs and lows at Chelsea, capped by European silverware but followed by exclusion from major squads, he faces a pivotal decision about the next stage of his career. Manchester United, meanwhile, are left with a high-profile player on significant wages who is not part of manager Erik ten Hag’s plans. The Red Devils’ struggles to offload Sancho underscore broader challenges in the modern transfer market, where player power, wage demands, and sporting ambitions can collide in unpredictable ways.
As the transfer window draws to a close, all eyes remain on Jadon Sancho. Will he reconsider Roma’s offer, or will the Italian club turn their focus elsewhere? Can Manchester United find a resolution that suits all parties, or will Sancho’s future remain in limbo as the new season begins? The coming days promise more twists, as clubs across Europe finalize their squads and players like Sancho weigh the next steps in their careers.
For now, the story is far from over. With Roma exploring alternatives and Manchester United eager for a solution, the fate of Jadon Sancho remains one of football’s most intriguing unanswered questions this summer.
