Jadon Sancho has officially joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The move was finalized on deadline day, marking a significant addition to Unai Emery's squad.
Sancho's future at Manchester United has been uncertain, especially after falling out of favor. Last season, he spent time on loan at Chelsea, making 41 appearances and contributing five goals and 10 assists. While Chelsea had an obligation to buy Sancho, they ultimately decided against it after failing to agree to terms with the player, opting to pay a fee to terminate the agreement.
Several clubs showed interest in Sancho this summer, but he ultimately chose Aston Villa. He reportedly turned down offers from Roma and Besiktas before settling on the deal with the Birmingham club.
Aston Villa will cover a significant portion of Sancho's wages, paying at least 80% of his salary for the season. His contract with Manchester United has one year remaining, with the club holding the option to extend it by an additional year.
Sancho's arrival at Aston Villa could provide a much-needed boost to their attack. The team has struggled to score in their first three Premier League matches, failing to find the net in a draw against Newcastle and losses to Brentford and Crystal Palace.
The 25-year-old winger rose to prominence during his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he made 158 appearances, scoring 53 goals and providing 67 assists. His performances in Germany earned him a move to Manchester United in 2021 for a reported fee of £73 million. However, he struggled to replicate that form at Old Trafford and had a falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
Sancho is not the only player set to join Aston Villa, with Victor Lindelöf also expected to be confirmed as a new arrival on a free transfer. The club is also reportedly exploring a move for Liverpool's Harvey Elliott.