‘Emery knows a player when he sees one’: Aston Villa set to seal Manchester United loan transfer on deadline day

Aston Villa are close to a loan deal for a member of Manchester United’s bomb squad on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations and de facto sporting director will be working on a number of deals today as the club look to strengthen the squad after a disappointing start to the Premier League season.

The major unknown on transfer deadline day is the immediate future of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who has been linked with a last-minute switch to Old Trafford and was left out of the squad for Villa’s defeat against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

According to transfer expert David Ornstein, unwanted United winger Jadon Sancho is set to move in the other direction on loan irrespective of the outcome of any club negotiations about the Argentine.

Sancho has had a number of suitors. He spent last season on loan at Chelsea and the Blues were reportedly interested in renewing the arrangement after opting out of a permanent deal, though no agreement was reached on the matter of his salary.

Roma, Napoli and Juventus were also understood to be interested but the former Borussia Dortmund has yet to secure a spot to keep himself at the top level and give himself a platform to prove his worth for England in a World Cup season.

Villa appeared to be his best solution and Sky Sports correspondent Patrick Rowe has shared his opinion on the opportunity for the 25-year-old winger.

“Jadon Sancho’s time in the Premier League has not gone to plan so far, but [Unai] Emery knows a player when he sees one,” said Rowe. “It could be the perfect move for both the player and a team currently lacking a spark in the final third.

“At Villa, Sancho would have regular game time, European football and a manager who has regularly shown he can get the best out of players. A loan deal can help all parties. Sancho’s long-term future, whether it is at Villa or another club, is a discussion for a later date.”

Sancho’s prior loan spells

Sancho is surplus to requirements at United under Ruben Amorim but has proved his quality when he has the trust and confidence of his club and manager.

That has been particularly evident on loan at former club Borussia Dortmund and also at Chelsea last term. The England international played 21 times on loan and helped BVB to reach the Champions League final, where Sancho, Ian Maatsen and their teammates were beaten by Real Madrid.

He played 41 times for Chelsea in 2024/25, scoring five times and providing ten assists. He scored in the final of the Conference League to help the Blues to lift silverware in his loan year.

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