Sancho wage talks stall Roma deal

Manchester United face a hold up as Jadon Sancho's salary demands complicate a potential move to Roma.

Sancho wage demands stall United exit to Roma

Manchester United and Roma have discussed a transfer for Jadon Sancho, but the deal is blocked by the player’s pay requirements. United are willing to accept about €23 million (£19.8m) for the 25-year-old, yet Sancho would need to accept a substantial pay cut from his current £250,000-a-week wage, roughly £13m a year. Roma reportedly proposed a loan with an option to buy, but United prefer a permanent sale rather than another loan.

Sancho spent last season on loan at Chelsea, where the move did not become permanent after a £5m fee was paid. At United, he is not in Ruben Amorim’s plans, and the club aims to clear the wage bill. Other clubs have been linked, including Borussia Dortmund, but Dortmund reportedly questions a return given the wage hurdle and the recent history with United and Chelsea. United’s stance underscores the clash between a player’s earnings and a club’s long‑term financial strategy, even when football skills are clear.

The episode highlights how wages have become a key gatekeeper in modern football. Deals are no longer just about on‑pitch value; they hinge on off‑field costs and the willingness of a player to accept a real pay cut. For Roma and similar clubs, loans with options to buy are attractive but risky if the salary burden remains unsustainable. United’s preference for a permanent sale reflects a broader trend: clubs want to reset wage structures to protect future flexibility. This situation also tests Sancho’s career choices in a market where money can outrun playing time.

Highlights

The wage game in football keeps changing how deals are judged and who gets to decide a player’s next move.