West Ham’s Talks with Jadon Sancho Collapse as Potter Rejects Move
West Ham United recently engaged in concrete discussions with representatives of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, but the potential transfer has fallen through, according to reliable sources. The talks, which explored a possible swap deal involving West Ham’s star Mohammed Kudus, ended without an agreement, as manager Graham Potter vetoed the move, signaling a strategic shift for the Hammers.
Sancho, a 25-year-old former Borussia Dortmund standout, was offered to West Ham in what was described as an “affordable” deal following Chelsea’s decision to end his loan spell and pay a £5m penalty to Manchester United rather than sign him permanently for £25m. The winger, who struggled for consistency at Chelsea with five goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances, was open to joining West Ham, provided he was guaranteed first-team football. However, Potter, alongside head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, dismissed the idea, citing Sancho’s lack of fit in their tactical setup due to concerns over his defensive work rate and inconsistency.
The discussions took a dramatic turn when Chelsea proposed a five-player swap, including Sancho, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Robert Sanchez, Carney Chukwuemeka, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Trevoh Chalobah, to secure Kudus. West Ham’s majority owner, David Sullivan, reportedly admired Sancho, but Potter’s vision for a different player profile led to the talks collapsing. The Hammers are now focusing on other targets, with Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier identified as a potential replacement should Kudus depart, with interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle.
Sancho’s future remains uncertain as he returns to Manchester United, where he has no place under Ruben Amorim’s system, which does not favor wingers. Options in Saudi Arabia have emerged, but doubts linger about whether the Premier League’s pace suits the former England international. West Ham, meanwhile, face Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints, banking on potential sales to fund Graham Potter’s squad rebuild. The decision to pass on Sancho underscores West Ham’s commitment to a disciplined transfer strategy as they aim to climb the Premier League table.
