Villa have completed the loan signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.
The winger who rose to prominence starring for Borussia Dortmund before a big-money move to Old Trafford spent last season on loan at Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s widely reported that Villa will be footing 80% of the England internationals’ salary, thought to be in the region of £300k a week. The 25-year-old opted against a move to Italian side Roma earlier in the transfer window and has also courted interest from fellow Serie A giants Juventus.
Villa will hope to recreate the type of career rehabilitation as seen recently from Marcus Rashford during his spell at the club. Sancho arrives at Villa Park similarly out of favour at United, after loan deals at both Dortmund and Stamford Bridge were not made permanent. Infamously, Chelsea incurred a £5m penalty fee for failing to take up their obligation to buy.
Sancho cost United a whopping £74m just four years ago, but has made just 83 appearances for his parent club. He’s also turned out just once for the Red Devils since 2023. The attacking midfielder’s relationship broke down with then manager Erik Ten Hag, who publicly criticised and ostracised the player, notably making him train alone at that time.
For Villa, it’s a case of risk and reward. Emery will no doubt ponder whether another figure can be resurrected from the ashes of United’s current malaise and offer an uptick to Villa’s current dropoff in form and fortunes. After a poor start to the season and a 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Palace, it’s much needed. For Sancho, it’s a third loan, but a fresh start in a team that is suddenly desperate for the threat and flair that on his day he possesses in abundance.