The summer transfer window, while currently experiencing a lull due to the ongoing Club World Cup, is poised to intensify as Manchester United and other prominent clubs prepare to refine their squads for the 2025/26 season. Following a catastrophic 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish a lowly 15th in the Premier League and miss out on European football, Manchester United is embarking on a significant overhaul.
Under new manager Ruben Amorim, United has thus far secured one notable attacking reinforcement in Matheus Cunha from Wolves, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo also a potential arrival following a second bid this week.
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However, a major focus for the Red Devils will soon shift to offloading high-earning players who are not part of Amorim’s long-term vision. Among those expected to depart are Antony, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho, all of whom spent last season on loan and are now seeking permanent moves away from Old Trafford. The future of key attackers like Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho also remains uncertain, hinting at a potentially entirely new-look forward line for United.
Jadon Sancho, in particular, is a priority for Manchester United to remove from their wage bill. The former Borussia Dortmund winger is one of the club’s top earners, despite his clear exclusion from Amorim’s future plans.
After spending last season on loan at Chelsea, where the London club opted to pay a reported £5 million penalty fee rather than make his move permanent, Sancho is set to return to United as pre-season approaches. Reports suggest that Amorim plans to exclude Sancho and other fringe players from the upcoming US tour.
While Napoli had shown interest in Sancho, they appear to be shifting towards alternative targets. Juventus, however, remains keen on acquiring the United winger. Crucially, a new claim from Turkey indicates that Fenerbahçe is making significant progress towards a potential deal for Sancho.
Turkish journalist Murat Corlu, said on A Spor that: “Sancho could be Fenerbahce’s first transfer this summer, that is what I have heard before I came here tonight, that an agreement is in place and all that remains is for Fenerbahce to announce the transfer, there are just a few small details to resolve before I think it will be announced.”
Fenerbahçe’s interest stems from their need to find a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin, who has returned to his parent club Al-Hilal following a season-long loan spell. However, Sancho’s substantial wages could prove to be a significant stumbling block in negotiations.
There is no disputing that Sancho has endured a challenging period at Manchester United since his much-heralded arrival. He has made 83 appearances for the Red Devils, contributing 12 goals and six assists, a tally far below expectations for a player of his talent and price tag.
While former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was instrumental in bringing Sancho to Old Trafford, current Fenerbahçe manager Jose Mourinho is now reportedly eyeing a move for the 25-year-old.
Mourinho could offer Sancho a crucial lifeline, providing an environment in Turkey – where the standard of football is arguably less intense than the Premier League – for him to rekindle his career and rediscover his enjoyment for the game, similar to the flashes he showed during his Europa Conference League appearances with Chelsea last season.
A move to Fenerbahçe could also pave the way for a reunion between Sancho and former United teammate Fred.
