Man United Engaged in ‘Exploratory Talks’ to Acquire Out-of-Favor Chelsea Star
August 28, 2024
By Rita Okafor
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling, who has found himself on the fringes of the first team at Stamford Bridge. The 29-year-old winger, once a pivotal figure at both Manchester City and Chelsea, has had a tough start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Sterling was recently informed by new head coach Enzo Maresca that he is no longer part of Chelsea’s first-team plans. With the club struggling to manage an oversized squad, the former England international has seen his opportunities severely limited. The situation escalated earlier this month when Sterling was stripped of his number seven jersey, which was subsequently handed to summer arrival Pedro Neto.
Since joining Chelsea from Manchester City two years ago, Sterling has made 81 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals. Despite his efforts, his time at Chelsea has been less impactful than expected, and he now faces the possibility of moving on.
According to reports from BBC Sport, Manchester United are considering stepping in to rescue Sterling from his current predicament. Although talks are still in the early stages, the Red Devils are exploring the possibility of bringing the winger back to Manchester, this time to the red side of the city.
United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is said to be keen on capitalizing on Sterling’s unsettled status. There are suggestions that a player swap could be part of the deal, with Jadon Sancho—another player in need of a fresh start—potentially heading to Chelsea. Sancho, who has struggled to find consistency since his move to United, is reportedly attracting interest not only from Chelsea but also from Juventus in Serie A.
Sterling’s potential move to Old Trafford could provide much-needed competition for Marcus Rashford on the left wing. United have already strengthened their attacking options this summer with the £37 million signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. The 23-year-old Dutch forward made an immediate impact, scoring a second-half winner on his Premier League debut against Fulham on August 16.
While a deal for Sterling is far from completion, the possibility of him donning the red of Manchester United adds an intriguing subplot to the current transfer window. Both clubs have yet to reach an agreement, but the developments in the coming days could set the stage for a major move.
