"We will see" - Chelsea boss on 'opportunistic' transfer links with £74m-rated outcast

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has addressed the potential signing of Manchester United star Jadon Sancho. The Red Devils outcast is reportedly set to move to Serie A’s Juventus this summer but is still holding out hope that a deal can be struck with United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea ahead of tomorrow’s transfer deadline.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the RMCSport journalist Fabrice Hawkins wrote: “Breaking Agreement between Manchester United and Juventus for Jadon Sancho. Loan + obligation to buy. The player keen to move.”

However, the Guardian has since reported that the former Borussia Dortmund star is ‘holding out’ for an offer from Chelsea who are said to be looking at an ‘opportunistic’ move for Sancho. Talks have also reportedly taken place with the Old Trafford club over a potential swap deal involving the out-of-favour star Raheem Sterling.

Little progress has reportedly been made with regards to the 29-year-old winger but the Blues are understood to still be in the running to take Sancho in a separate deal.

The Blues have already got a squad of over 40 players but speaking before the club’s second leg of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League playoff, head coach Maresca did not shut down the links between the Stamford Bridge side and the winger.

Speaking to the press, Maresca said: “If we have to sign a player just for signing, I don’t want it. But if we can sign a player who can help us, for sure I want it. I know Jadon very well from many years with (Manchester) City. I know him very well. But he is not our player. We will see what happens.”

24-year-old Sancho first joined Manchester United in 2021 for a reported transfer fee of £72 million. However, the winger has faced several issues with the club’s manager Erik ten Hag and returned to his former club Dortmund on loan in January for the remainder of the campaign.

Despite an exceptionally impressive loan spell - in which he drew level with Tony Woodcock in becoming the top English goal-scorer in the Bundesliga, as well as significantly aiding the side in reaching the Champions League final - Erik ten Hag still has no plans to put Sancho in his starting XI going forward.

The England international is thought to have indicated a preference to join Chelsea over Juventus but the situation reportedly remains open with the Old Lady not giving up on signing the winger on a temporary basis.