Unai Emery has publicly addressed Aston Villa's potential interest in securing Jadon Sancho on a permanent basis this summer, delivering a clear message to the Manchester United loanee regarding his future at the club.
Emery's Conditional Interest in a Permanent Deal
The Aston Villa manager has confirmed that he is open to the idea of retaining Jadon Sancho beyond the current season, but this is contingent on the winger maintaining and enhancing his recent upturn in form. Sancho, whose contract with Manchester United is set to expire this summer, is anticipated to become a free agent, placing Villa in a potentially advantageous position should they decide to pursue a deal.
Sancho's Progress at Villa Park
Since his deadline-day loan move in September, the 25-year-old has made 23 appearances for the Midlands club. His integration into Emery's system has been gradual, with notable milestones achieved in recent weeks. Sancho registered his first Premier League goal involvement for Villa by assisting Morgan Rogers' opening goal in the match against Bournemouth. This followed his maiden goal for the club, scored three weeks prior in a fixture against Fenerbahce.
Emery has been candid about Sancho's developmental journey, acknowledging a slow start but expressing growing satisfaction. "The first part of the season was not enough - he was working and trying, but not achieving the performance we needed," the manager admitted. "Now he is getting better. He is getting the challenge for him and us."
The Manager's Direct Challenge
Emery has emphasised the need for consistency and self-demand from the player. "He must be demanding himself and consistent like he is now. But [we want] more and more. It is not the time to wait. We need everyone with their wishes and qualities," he stated, reinforcing the club's belief in Sancho's potential from the start of the season through to the present day.
When questioned directly about the prospect of a summer transfer, Emery provided a measured response. "Not yet. But he is a fantastic player. Hopefully he can help us by increasing his qualities in our structure like he is doing," he said. "He will need another contract, and maybe it could be here. If he plays his best football, we will want him. But also other teams could be involved in the interest for him."
This statement underscores the competitive nature of the upcoming transfer window, with Villa's interest being clear but not exclusive. Emery concluded by linking individual performances to the club's broader ambitions, noting that "each match is important for every player and the club’s future, how we can achieve our objective."
