DEAL COMPLETED: Manchester United have finally won the transfer race over Chelsea to the signing of £70m striker – Fabrizio Romano confirmed as player is now heading to London for Medical
Manchester United are reportedly holding internal discussions over a possible swap deal with Chelsea for Raheem Sterling, which would see Jadon Sancho head the other way, reports Fabrizio Romano.
A busy summer for Erik ten Hag has seen a number of new faces in the first-team dressing room, including Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui. Manuel Ugarte is set to be added to this list soon, with the Red Devils having reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain over a permanent deal.
But the Dutch custodian is keen to add more to his crop, with the wide flanks an area of concern amid Sancho’s possible departure. Premier League rivals, Chelsea, have offered a swap deal for the 24-year-old, which would see the Blues’ outcast, Sterling, head the other way, and Ten Hag and his entourage are considering the proposal.
Speaking via Playback, Romano revealed that Manchester United were holding discussions on the possibility of a late move for Raheem Sterling. He said
Sterling has conclusively been banished from the Chelsea squad, with Enzo Maresca deeming the former international as surplus to requirements. The board are eager to offload his bumper £325,000 per week wages off the books before the Friday transfer window deadline, and are doing all they can to stir up interest, but such high salary demands have deterred suitors so far
Elsewhere, Manchester United are in talks with Juventus for the future of Jadon Sancho, and his prospective departure will open space for a new wide man at the club, but the 24-year-old has reportedly voiced his preference for Chelsea over his other interested parties. That said, Chelsea’s proposal may work better for all clubs and players involved, given it also provides Ten Hag with an immediate replacement in Sterling – an enticing outcome with such little time left on the window.
In any case, Sterling’s wage demands will undoubtedly be a stumbling block in negotiations, and GMS sources suggest that the Jamaica-born man may have to reduce to more than half his weekly earnings for United to sanction the move.
With Ten Hag and Co hard at work discussing the details of the winger department, they are also considering a move for another full-back in the mean time. As per reports in Spain, Girona ace, Miguel Gutierrez is on United’s shortlist, following a highly successful season last year. The left-back tallied two goals and seven assists in 35 league outings, helping his side to an unexpected third place finish, stunning many in the world of football.
But Arne Slot’s Liverpool are also reportedly on the lookout for a new full-back, and are set to compete with their north-west rivals for Gutierrez’ signature. Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal and Chelsea are all also looming, and either of the five could make a move before the transfer window concludes on Friday.
