A potential swap deal involving Chelsea's Raheem Sterling and Manchester United's Jadon Sancho could be complicated by the fact the former is said to be owed a staggering amount by his current club.
The pair of England internationals are not wanted by their employees, having been deemed surplus to requirements by their respective clubs.
Sancho returned to United following a loan spell back at Borussia Dortmund and patched things up with Erik ten Hag, who brought him on in the Community Shield.
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However Sancho still does not have a first-team future at Old Trafford and the club are keen to move him on.
Sterling, meanwhile, has been told he is not in Enzo Maresca's plans at Chelsea after being left out of the squad for the opening game of the season.
Part of Chelsea's 'bomb squad', Sterling has been training by himself and linked with the likes of Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
But United have emerged as a potential suitor, with the club's new sporting director Dan Ashworth discussing the possibility of a swap on Tuesday.
However the deal is not a straightforward one. According to the Daily Mail, there are a number of possible stumbling blocks, the most pressing of which relate to what Sterling is owed.
The 29-year-old still has three years to run on his Chelsea deal, where he earns around £325,000-a-week.
He is said to be entitled to £70 million in wages and bonuses, though it's claimed United would be hesitant to help Chelsea come to a financial settlement with Sterling when they still have Sancho earning £250,000-a-week.
A transfer would have to be done on United's terms before the transfer window shuts on Friday evening.
Their preference is believed to be a straight cash deal for Sancho, who is also the subject of interest from Juventus, Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Sterling, meanwhile, would be keen on heading back to the north-west after spells with Liverpool and City - though United are well stocked for forwards.
Topics: Chelsea, Raheem Sterling, Manchester United
Josh Lawless