Manchester United is reportedly interested in signing Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, and a potential swap deal involving Jadon Sancho has been discussed. The Red Devils are determined to negotiate the deal on their own terms and are not willing to pay a fee for Sterling, who has been deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca. However, Sterling still has three years left on his contract and is earning £325,000-a-week. If he cannot find a new club, he may be forced to train with Chelsea’s Under-21s squad.
Meanwhile, Chelsea is looking to reinforce their attacking options and has shown interest in signing Sancho, who has been left out of United’s squad for their first two Premier League matches. Sancho, who had a falling out with United chief Erik ten Hag, spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund and the German club was keen to make the move permanent. However, financial constraints make a permanent transfer unlikely at this stage.
In addition to the potential swap deal, Manchester United has been proactive in the transfer market, agreeing to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte for an initial fee of £42.2 million, which could rise to £50 million with add-ons. Ugarte’s arrival will allow Scott McTominay to complete a £25 million switch to Napoli. United’s pursuit of Ugarte highlights their commitment to strengthening their midfield options.
On the other hand, Chelsea has set their sights on Brentford striker Ivan Toney, as Maresca is desperate to sign an established number nine. Toney, who has just one year left on his contract, has been left out of Brentford’s opening two Premier League games. Chelsea is confident that they can match Brentford’s valuation of £50 million for the player. However, negotiations are ongoing, and Toney has already agreed to personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
It is worth noting that Chelsea, under the ownership of Todd Boehly, has implemented a new wage structure, with average weekly deals for new signings ranging from £60,000 to £70,000 with incentivized bonuses. This strict wage structure may pose a challenge in signing players who demand higher wages, such as Toney.
Overall, Manchester United’s pursuit of Raheem Sterling and Chelsea’s interest in Jadon Sancho indicate a potential swap deal between the two clubs. Additionally, both clubs are actively seeking reinforcements in other areas of their squads, with United targeting midfield reinforcements and Chelsea looking to strengthen their attacking options. The outcome of these negotiations will likely depend on financial considerations and the willingness of the players involved to accept new terms.