With his contract expiring in June, Sancho admits he is ‘happy’ at Aston Villa as Unai Emery considers a permanent deal for the former Dortmund ace.
The long-running saga of Jadon Sancho and Manchester United has finally reached its conclusion. After a series of loan spells and a breakdown in his relationship with the club’s hierarchy, United have reportedly made the “final decision” to let the 25-year-old leave as a free agent this summer.
Sancho, who moved to Old Trafford for £73 million in 2021, will see his five-year contract expire at the end of June. Despite United’s previous attempts to recoup a transfer fee in 2024 and 2025, the club is now prepared to write off the investment to facilitate a fresh start for both parties.
Emery’s Faith and Sancho’s Response
Currently on loan at Aston Villa, Sancho has struggled for consistent form, netting just once in 25 appearances. However, Unai Emery has shown renewed faith in the winger since the turn of the year, handing him five consecutive Premier League starts.
Speaking to Villa’s official website, Sancho made his feelings clear:
“When you have a manager that backs you, you go into training with a lot more confidence. I’m just happy that I’m playing, and hopefully I can help the team throughout the season.”
The Stats: A Difficult Season at Villa Park
While Sancho feels settled, his output remains under the microscope as he fights for a new contract:
| Metric | 2025/26 Season (Aston Villa) |
| Appearances | 25 |
| Starts (Last 5 Games) | 5 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Current Status | Set to become Free Agent (June 2026) |
Will Aston Villa Make it Permanent?
With Sancho available for free, Unai Emery has hinted that Villa Park could become his permanent home, provided his performances continue to trend upward.
“He is a fantastic player,” Emery said. “He will need another contract, and maybe it could be here. If he plays his best football, we will want him. The first part of the season was not enough, but now he is getting better.”
For Manchester United, letting Sancho walk away for nothing marks the end of one of the most expensive and disappointing chapters in the club’s modern history. For Sancho, it represents a golden opportunity to rebuild his career without the weight of a massive transfer fee.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
