Jadon Sancho set to join Aston Villa on initial loan from Man Utd - with path now clear for Emi Martinez to head to Old Trafford

England international winger Sancho is heading to the West Midlands on an initial season-long agreement, with The Athletic reporting that “only final details” are left to sort out as the 25-year-old treads a similar path to former club and international colleague Marcus Rashford.

Rashford spent time on loan with Villa last season, but a purchase option was not taken up. He is now on the books of La Liga giants Barcelona. Sancho is another member of the infamous “bomb squad” at United that will be allowed to leave on loan after entering the final year of his contract - with the Red Devils still holding a 12-month extension option.

Villa are in the market for more attacking additions after passing on Rashford and allowing Leon Bailey to link up with Roma. Sancho spent last season with Chelsea, helping them to Conference League glory while making 41 appearances in all competitions.

No permanent deal was agreed there either, with Chelsea paying to cancel a purchase obligation. Sancho has made 83 appearances for United since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2021, with the last of those coming in the 2024 Community Shield. He registered just 12 goals for the Red Devils.

As Sancho prepares to swap Old Trafford for Villa Park, Argentine goalkeeper Martinez could be heading in the opposite direction. The World Cup winner has seen a transfer speculated on for much of the summer window, having seemingly bid farewell to the Villans at the end of last season.

Fabrizio Romano claims that Martinez’s move to United is dependent on Sancho’s switch going through. With a deal close there, the Red Devils can bring in a proven No.1 - amid the ongoing questions of Andre Onana’s future - while also discussing a raid on Royal Antwerp for Belgian shot-stopper Senne Lammens.