JADON SANCHO could return to Manchester United next season - despite Chelsea having an obligation to buy the forward.
The United winger, 24, is currently on a season-long loan at Stamford Bridge.
Sancho joined the Blues last summer after falling out of favour in the North West.
The former £73million man has made 26 appearances for Chelsea this term, scoring 2 goals.
Sancho recently declared he was "delighted" to be at the club and "felt at home".
But the former Dortmund flop was called out by United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe during his explosive interview earlier this week.
Chelsea's loan deal with United includes an obligation to buy Sancho if they finish 14th or higher in the Premier League.
According to The Mail, the final fee will be between £22m and £25m depending on Chelsea's final league position.
But the outlet claims the Blues could yet back out of the deal and send Sancho back to United, where he still has 18 months left on his £250k-a-week contract.
The ex-Man City star has "yet to agree personal terms" with the Blues.
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If Chelsea did back out of the buy clause, they would incur a "significant penalty" fine.
Chelsea could still go through with the transfer and then sell Sancho to another club.
Or they could decide to send him back to United and incur the financial penalty.
Ratcliffe bemoaned United "overspending" on talent during his tell-all interview with the BBC.
He revealed the club are still to pay out £17m more to Dortmund for Sancho this summer.
Sancho arrived to huge fanfare in 2021 but has failed to live up to the hype at Old Trafford.
INEOS chief Ratcliffe told The BBC: "Some [players] are not good enough and some probably are overpaid.
"But for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.
"We've got this period of transformation where we move from the past to the future.
"There are some great players in the squad as we know, the captain is a fabulous footballer."