Chelsea’s hopes of acquiring Jadon Sancho have been dented with Manchester United set for talks with Juventus
The winger looks poised to leave Old Trafford having been left out of Erik ten Hag’s squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton. Chelsea have been linked as holding an interest in Sancho, amid speculation that a swap deal involving Raheem Sterling could be agreed.
However, United ideally wish to sell the 24-year-old, who also missed the opening day win over Fulham due to an ear infection, to help stay within Premier League spending limits. The club anticipate three sales before Friday’s transfer deadline with net spend currently at around £83m amid a target of £50m.
Sterling is expected to be let go by Chelsea after being frozen out of Enzo Maresca’s plans. His omission from the opening defeat to Manchester City prompted his representatives to release a statement, appealing to the club for more “clarity” over their client’s future.
The attacker was subsequently left out of the squad for Sunday’s 6-2 win away at Wolves and it looks increasingly likely that the 29-year-old will leave Stamford Bridge just two years after arriving for £45million.
Should Chelsea wish to secure Sancho as his replacement, they would have to battle Juventus for his signature. Ominously for the Blues, a private jet is scheduled to fly from Manchester to Turin later on Monday, as confirmed by the Manchester Evening News.
Sancho spent the second half of last season on loan at Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund after falling out with United boss Ten Hag following his exclusion from the matchday squad against Arsenal a year ago.
The pair have since agreed to put their disagreements behind them but Ten Hag only fielded Sancho for the final seven minutes of the Community Shield final before leaving him out against Brighton.
“He’s here [at the stadium], but I had a choice to make,” Ten Hag explained regarding Sancho’s squad absence. “We had some issues, we need a full squad
He’s one of them. He has to compete in his position. Game-by-game we will have a look. We need two players in every position because it is a long season.”
United – who did involve academy graduate Toby Collyer in their matchday squad – value Sancho at £40m, which is almost half of the £73m paid for him in 2021. He has only been involved in 18 goals during his 83 appearances since his transfer.
Chelsea have spent more than £200m this summer, having received around £122m for outgoings. The club could yet do more business before the window shuts this week
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