Isn’t it refreshing to see the footballing community come together, put aside their differences, and give Manchester United a helping hand in their hour of need?
Ok, that is not quite what’s going on here.
But with Erik ten Hag looking to get Jadon Sancho off the wage bill before the transfer window closes this week, Manchester United appear to have received a timely leg-up from not one but two bitter rivals.
First came Chelsea, offering Man United the chance to dump their £73 million millstone on the Stamford Bridge doorstep while taking a player or two in exchange.
According to The Telegraph, the Red Devils do have some interest in exploring a potential Raheem Sterling deal with sporting director Dan Ashworth a big admirer of a man who – despite donning the red of Liverpool and the sky blue of Man City – grew up with red in his veins.
“When I was young, I was a massive United fan,” Sterling told The Mirror back in 2019. “I had an old United kit, from when they won the last FA Cup.”
As for Liverpool, the club where Sterling made his name, they too have made themselves into a domino in the Sancho saga as Man United wait for all things to fall in their favour.
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Manchester United could finally move on Jadon Sancho
Liverpool are closing in on a potential £10.9 million deal for Juventus winger Federico Chiesa, The Telegraph report.
A deal that is now almost certain to be completed with Arne Slot adding a new attacker to his ranks before Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford.
“I’m very happy. I can’t wait to become new Liverpool player,” Chiesa now says, via Fabrizio Romano, with his bags packed and his passport in pocket. “Me and my family, we’re so happy really.
“Let me say thanks to Juventus and the fans, they have been always special with me. Now, it’s time for Liverpool. I’m so happy. I can’t wait!”.
Man United fans reacted with similarly unbridled excitement when a deal was finally struck to bring in the aforementioned Sancho from Borussia Dortmund during the dying embers of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
Three years, 12 goals, and one very public spat later, most United supporters would happily fill up their own car with petrol and drive him out of Carrington if it meant getting Sancho off the Red Devils’ wage bill.
And while Chelsea remain keen, Liverpool may have just opened the door for Juventus to step up their own interest.
Chelsea and Juventus want former Dortmund man
The deal to take Chiesa to Anfield not only frees up extra funds in the Bianconeri war chest, it also opens up a space in Thiago Motta’s squad for another wideman.
The wideman in question seemingly being Jadon Sancho.
The Independent claims that Juventus are now ‘very confident’ that a deal for the ill-fitting Englishman – who’s final act as a United player will be that missed penalty in the Community Shield – can be struck.
Gianluca di Marzio, meanwhile, believes that the next few hours could be key. Juventus are hoping to strike a deal which sees Sancho arrive on loan with a £40 million obligation-to-buy clause in his contract.
When Man United signed Sancho three years ago, not even the most pessimistic supporter would have imagined just how disastrously things would turn out.
But with United finally likely to cut ties at last before the week is out, a little help from their Premier League frenemies could go a long way.
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