MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a sensational swoop for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling — with Jadon Sancho potentially going the other way.
On a day of Prem transfer mayhem, Red Devils sporting director Dan Ashworth opened talks with the Blues over England forward Sterling.
United insist any deal involving the two stars ahead of Friday’s deadline will be done on their own terms.
With out-of-favour Sterling available, Chelsea have contacted Brentford over £50million striker Ivan Toney.
As well as the blockbuster possible exchange of Sterling and Sancho, United were busy yesterday after agreeing an initial £42.2m deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte, which could rise to £50m when you include add-ons.
United’s move for the highly-rated Uruguayan enforcer, 23 — who was due in Manchester for a medical to become the club’s fifth summer signing — will allow Scott McTominay to seal a £25m switch to Napoli.
However, all eyes are on the futures of ex-Manchester City and Liverpool winger Sterling, 29, and 24-year-old Sancho, who is also wanted by Juventus before the window closes.
United do not want to pay a fee for exiled star Sterling, who has been told by manager Enzo Maresca he has no first-team future at Stamford Bridge but still has three years left on his £325,000-a-week contract.
Sterling has had his squad number stripped and the 82-cap England attacker is set to train with Chelsea’s Under-21s squad if he cannot find an exit route this week.
Chelsea are long-term admirers of Sancho, who has been left out of United’s squad for their first two Prem outings against Fulham and Brighton.
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Wideman Sancho, who earns only slightly less than Sterling, has 12 months fewer on his Old Trafford contract.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at his previous club, Borussia Dortmund, after a bust-up with United chief Erik ten Hag.
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Dortmund were keen to make the move permanent but it was never on the cards due to the finances.
Time is running out and sorting out a financial package for both players is a huge hurdle — even if both clubs can reach an agreement.
Chelsea gaffer Maresca is desperate to sign an established No. 9 to lead the line this season.
And the Blues made a late surge to snatch England striker Toney away from West London.
Toney, 28, has already agreed personal terms with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli — but a transfer fee is still being negotiated with Brentford demanding £50m.
Chelsea are confident they can match that valuation for Toney, who has just one year left on his Bees contract and was left out of their opening two Prem games this campaign.
And ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Colchester, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “We have nothing to say about Ivan.”
It is believed that Toney, who starred for the Three Lions at the Euros, would have to accept a significantly lower wage packet than the one being offered by Al-Ahli to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.
Under American owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea have a strict new wage structure, with the average weekly deal for new signings between £60k and £70k with incentivised bonuses.
Chelsea have been linked with Napoli’s Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen.
But they appear to have been priced out of a move for the striker, 25.
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Chelsea have reportedly made a sensational move to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Liverpool are also eyeing a cut-price deal for Juventus outcast Federico Chiesa.
Meanwhile, Saudi club Al Ahli have submitted an initial bid of £55million to Napoli for Chelsea target Victor Osimhen.
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