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Manchester United are prepared to provide Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling an escape route, albeit only on their terms.
United were not expected to be in the market for another attacking reinforcement in the final days of the transfer window, having already invested a fee in the region of €40 million on Joshua Zirkzee.
However, it appears Jadon Sancho’s potential exit and Sterling’s sudden availability have thrown an intriguing opportunity in sporting director Dan Ashworth’s way before Friday’s deadline.
The veteran Englishman has been told to find a new club, with Chelsea’s new boss Enzo Maresca publicly confirming the winger has no place in his first-team plans. He has been frozen out by the Blues and forced to train away from senior players.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Ashworth, who is leading United’s recruitment this summer, is open to take a chance on the England international and make him a last-minute addition to Erik ten Hag’s ranks.
However, the Red Devils are only prepared to offer Sterling a £150,000-per-week contract to move to the Theatre of Dreams.
The ex-Manchester City star, who also played for Liverpool before moving to Manchester, currently takes home a reported £325,000-per-week. Whether he would be open to accepting less than half of his current salary to play for United remains unclear.
Furthermore, United also want the 29-year-old forward to be ready to settle for a squad player role instead of a guaranteed starter under Erik ten Hag.
United currently see him as a potential back-up option to Marcus Rashford on the left flank. Sterling could also be handed minutes on the right wing as well as through the middle as a false nine.
The club’s hierarchy admire the experience Sterling boasts, but they are not ready to disrupt their wage bill and first-team plans to bring him back to Manchester.
Juventus have also been named as Sterling’s suitors. Interestingly, the Old Lady also remain in active negotiations with United to sign Sancho.
Sancho’s move to Turin could further strengthen the Old Trafford outfit’s position in talks with Sterling, who is running out of time to find a new club amid the risk of spending lengthy time on the stands in London.
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