Chelsea are highly interested in making a fourth major splash in the winger market this summer, even though their attack is already showing signs of renewed vigor under Enzo Maresca after dropping a six-burger on Wolves this past weekend.
After adding Portuguese stars Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, Chelsea have their eyes on Manchester United superstar Jadon Sancho, who is on the outs at Old Trafford due to his acrimonious relationship with manager Erik ten Hag.
As of right now, Chelsea are exploring potential swap deals with Manchester United in order to acquire Sancho, hoping that the Red Devils will reduce the winger’s asking price by accepting a player the Blues no longer want anyway.
Veteran Premier League winger Raheem Sterling is Chelsea’s ideal candidate, as he no longer has a place in the club’s present or future as a 29-year-old riding the bench. Chelsea are actively shopping him.
But Chelsea could also try to use a non-forward who could help Man United. Left back Ben Chilwell is just as discarded from Maresca’s plans as Sterling and is another player the London-based giant would love to get rid of before the transfer window ends.
According to a report from BBC Sports’s Simon Stone, Manchester United would not be interested in acquiring Chilwell in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho, and Man United are firm on wanting a fair price for Sancho in a permanent transfer or loan with an obligation to buy.
Juventus have been having a hard time ponying up the money for Sancho as a Federico Chiesa replacement, as they are trying to save up for Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners, too.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have already invested heavily in attackers and see Sancho as a market opportunity, so their priority is to kill two birds with one stone by acquiring a great English forward while axing a player they were already looking to sell like Sterling or Chilwell.
Sterling remains a possible trade chip for Chelsea to use in order to acquire one of last season’s big Champions League stars, but Chilwell is unsurprisingly someone the Blues will have to take off their list of possible swap deal options.
