Man Utd's Dan Ashworth 'opens Raheem Sterling talks' with blockbuster deal on the cards

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth has reportedly opened talks with Chelsea about a potential move for Raheem Sterling. The Blues winger has been deemed surplus to requirements by Enzo Maresca and will be allowed to leave before Friday’s deadline.

A host of clubs have been linked with Sterling since he was left out of the Chelsea squad against Manchester City earlier this month. It seems as though United are ready to bring him to Old Trafford in a blockbuster deal which could see Jadon Sancho go the other way.

According to The Telegraph, talks are underway between the two clubs with Ashworth reaching out to Chelsea on Tuesday. He was said to have proposed the idea of Sterling and Sancho moving in opposite directions without United paying a transfer fee.

The Red Devils are said to be confident that a straight swap can be agreed, given Sterling’s situation at Chelsea and the fact any deal will need to be done by the close of play on Friday.

Chelsea have reportedly been expected to pay a portion of Sterling’s wages at his next club, with the England winger earning around £300,000 per week. They would be open to taking Sancho in exchange for the 29-year-old but a deal is yet to be finalised.

Another unnamed European club are said to be chasing a move for Sterling, which suggests United will need to act quickly to snap him up. Other reports have suggested that Juventus are keen but it is not known whether they are the club in question.

Crystal Palace have also been linked with Sterling since it became clear that he was no longer required at Chelsea. However, his salary expectations are likely to put the Eagles out of contention, especially with Eddie Nketiah set to join them from Arsenal.

It remains to be seen if United will be able to negotiate a successful move for Sterling over the coming days. He is one of several Chelsea players who could leave before the end of the window, with the Blues looking to trim their bloated first-team squad.

Romelu Lukaku looks set to sign for Napoli while Ben Chilwell has also been informed that he is free to find a new club. Armando Broja’s loan move to Ipswich Town was hit by an issue during his medical but there is still hope that a solution will be found.