Manchester United has reportedly started discussions with Chelsea about signing winger Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, who has been sidelined by Chelsea and had his shirt number given to new signing Pedro Neto, is now eager to secure a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge before Friday’s transfer deadline.
There’s been a lot of speculation on social media about a potential swap deal involving United’s Jadon Sancho, and recent reports suggest that Sterling is open to a move to Old Trafford.
According to The Telegraph, United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, has contacted Chelsea to explore a deal that would see Sterling move to Manchester and Sancho head to Stamford Bridge.
However, United are reportedly only interested in pursuing the deal if Sancho is included, aiming for a straight swap rather than paying a transfer fee for Sterling.
One challenge for both clubs is Sterling’s current contract, which pays him over £300,000. He’s in negotiations with Chelsea regarding the three years remaining on his contract, with the expectation that Chelsea will cover part of his salary if he transfers before the deadline.
Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Sancho for a while, considering him as a potential addition to Enzo Maresca’s revamped attacking lineup. Sancho has mentioned in the past that he grew up as a Chelsea fan, admiring legends like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
According to The Athletic, Sancho is likely to leave Manchester United this week. Besides Chelsea, Juventus is also in talks about the 24-year-old’s future.
Chelsea is interested in including a player in their bid for Sancho, with Raheem Sterling seen as the most realistic option, despite his high wages posing a challenge.
So far this season, neither Sancho nor Sterling has made it to the bench for their respective clubs in the Premier League, as United and Chelsea both look for new destinations for their wingers.
