And so the busy Deadline Day for Aston Villa begins! The Villans have agreed a deal with Manchester United for Jadon Sancho on a season-long loan. The 25-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract, but United have an option to extend for a further year. It is understood that the agreement is a straight loan with Villa expected to pay a loan fee and to cover 80% of his wages. There are reportedly achievable bonuses included which would see Villa eventually cover his full salary.
#AVFC to cover around 80 per cent of Jadon Sancho's salary. Only final bits of paperwork to sort before a season-long is finalised. Story w/@David_Ornstein @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/R4WsKUHpiy
— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) September 1, 2025
Villa have been eager to recruit attacking players after the departures of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle and Leon Bailey to Roma. The difficulty to comply with UEFA's financial rules means Villa can only negotiate loan deals with potentially an option or obligation to buy. They are keen to add another forward as well as Sancho.
Sancho's Failed Manchester United Move
Sancho joined Manchester United for £73 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2021. He played two full seasons for United scoring 12 goals in 79 appearances in all competitions, before falling out with Erik Ten Hag. There were doubts over his performances and fitness in training. The Englishman last made an appearance in 2024 in the Community Shield. He rejoined Dortmund on loan in the 2023 January transfer window making 21 appearances, before joining Chelsea on a season-long loan last season. For the Blues he started 19 Premier League games out of his 31 appearances, scoring 3 goals and recording 4 assists. Chelsea had an obligation to sign Sancho for £25 million but decided to pay a penalty fee of £5 million to cancel the deal.
Comments have been made over his attitude and overall fitness which has tarnished Sancho's tenure at United. Still only 25-year-old, Sancho has a long career ahead of him and a move to Villa could help revitalise it. He only has to look at former teammate Marcus Rashford's move to Villa Park which saw him reignite his performances. This enabled him to move to Barcelona. Unai Emery has a track record of improving players, so it could be a chance for Sancho to reach the talent he was once deemed to have.
Villa's Deadline Day Targets
Villa don't want the signings to stop at Jadon Sancho. Ex-Manchester United player Victor Lindelof is expected to join on a free transfer after his contract expired. Emiliano Martinez could still leave Villa with a move to United or elsewhere in the balance. The Villans are interested in Liverpool's Harvey Elliott who could join on loan if Emiliano Buendia leaves. The current situation is that Villa are talking to a number of different clubs, trying to work out the parameters of potential deals that ensure they still comply with UEFA's financial rules. It's certainly going to be a busy end to the transfer window.
