Manchester United is effectively paying Jadon Sancho £3.75 million this season for free! Ralf Rangnick has had enough and has informed him he can leave on a free transfer this summer.

Manchester United has informed 25-year-old English winger Jadon Sancho that he does not need to return this summer and is allowed to transfer for free. This confirms that the £73 million transfer fee paid for him originally has yielded no return. Moreover, Sancho was loaned to Aston Villa this season, who cover 80% of his wages. Since Sancho’s performance did not trigger bonus clauses, Manchester United still pays the remaining 20%, amounting to about £3.75 million.

Sancho’s loan deal with Villa expires on June 30, the same day his contract with Manchester United ends. Reliable sources confirm the club has decided to forgo the 12-month extension option, allowing Sancho to move freely. While renewing would give United a chance to sell him for a transfer fee, the risk of being unable to sell and having to pay another year’s salary was deemed too high, so the Red Devils opted not to extend.

This season at Villa, Sancho also failed to secure a place in Emery’s lineup, and the club is expected not to pursue a permanent deal. In 20 Premier League appearances, he started only 6 times and provided just 1 assist, which came recently in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth where he delivered a diagonal pass from the right flank, enabling Morgan Rogers to score from a tight angle.

Sancho has played 23 times for Villa across all competitions, scoring only once in the Europa League. However, manager Emery has encouraged him, saying he is working hard and getting closer to meeting the standards for a starting spot, hoping the English winger maintains this form for the rest of the season.

With Sancho available on a free transfer, some clubs have shown interest. Aston Villa is among them, but Emery stated that although Sancho’s recent performances have improved, it is still not enough, and the club has not made a final decision yet.

Emery said: "Are we considering signing Sancho permanently? Not yet. But he is a great player, and we hope he continues to improve and contribute to the team as he has been. He needs a new contract, and maybe he can get one here. If he performs at his best, we would definitely like to keep him. At the same time, other clubs might be interested. That’s football — every match affects the future of the player and the club."

Besides Villa, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund have recently been linked with signing Sancho on a free transfer. According to Football Insider, Sancho does not rule out returning to the Bundesliga, where he feels more comfortable with the pace of German football, which offers more space, greater attacking freedom, and more one-on-one opportunities without constant high-speed physical challenges.

Sancho’s wages remain a significant obstacle for any club wanting to sign him. Last season, he was also on loan at Chelsea, who triggered a £25 million mandatory buy clause. However, due to his high wage demands, Chelsea refused to meet them and instead paid Manchester United £5 million compensation to return him.

Manchester United fans would be pleased to see Sancho leave permanently. British media interviewed Red Devils supporters on Sancho’s future, and without exception, all expressed that they do not want him back at the club.

Sancho recently made his relationship public. On February 16, he was seen holding hands with American singer Savvy as they entered a bookstore in Paris. When a paparazzo cautiously asked, "How was your Valentine’s Day?" Sancho replied, "Very enjoyable."