Manchester United Eyes Sancho And Sterling Swap Deal With #Chelsea—-Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with Chelsea over a deal for Raheem Sterling but will only progress in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho on their own terms.

It is understood that United sporting director Dan Ashworth was in dialogue with Chelsea earlier on Tuesday over a sensational package that would see the two England forwards move in opposite directions.

With Sterling frozen out of the first-team squad, United are determined to make his situation at Stamford Bridge work to their advantage by paying no outlay to land the Premier League’s third-highest scorer among those currently playing in the competition.

Chelsea have been expected to pay part of Sterling’s wages, more than £300,000 per week, at his next club as they look for departure options. Sancho is wanted at Chelsea to add to Enzo Maresca’s attacking options.

One other as yet undisclosed European club have also been in contention for Sterling, who Telegraph Sport reported last week would train with Chelsea’s Under-21 squad if no deal is suitable before Friday’s deadline.

Sterling was left out of Maresca’s squad for the opening weekend of the season and stripped of his squad number, making it clear where he stood in the pecking order at Chelsea.

Premier League clubs have been approached through intermediaries about the possibility of a deal for Sterling, which is normal practice when a club wants to sell a player. It is understood that a permanent deal rather than loan is preferable to Sterling.

Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Sancho, who was born in London and started in the Watford Academy before his moves to Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and United.

He has also been left out of squads at the start of the season under Erik ten Hag, whom he fell out with last season before being loaned back to Dortmund.