Chelsea and Manchester United have ‘opened talks’ over a sensational deal that could see Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho swap clubs ahead of transfer deadline day.
Sterling has been frozen out of the Blues first team in the opening two weeks of the Premier League season and was stripped of his squad number, making clear that he is not a part of new head coach Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Sancho reconciled with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag over the summer and featured for the side in pre-season, but has not featured in the matchday squad for either of their first two fixtures.
It has now emerged that Man Utd sporting director Dan Ashworth was ‘in dialogue’ with Chelsea over a potential swap deal involving both players, according to The Telegraph.
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The report claims that United would not have to pay a transfer fee for Sterling despite the fact that he has three years left on his £300,000 per week contract, while Chelsea have been ‘expected’ to pay a portion of his wages at his next club.
Talks are at a ‘very early stage’, with Sterling’s salary likely to be the biggest obstacle to getting a deal done.
Another unnamed European club have also been ‘in contention’ to sign the 29-year-old, who would prefer a permanent transfer to a loan move, while other Premier League clubs have been contacted over a potential deal.
The Athletic report that Sancho is ‘likely’ to depart Man Utd before the transfer window closes on Friday, with the club engaging in talks with both Chelsea and Juventus.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have also ‘offered’ left-back Ben Chilwell to United, according to The Times. The 27-year-old could be an attractive proposition for the club, as both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been plagued by injuries, although Chilwell has had injury issues of his own in the past.
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