Manchester United have reportedly lost one of their potential buyers for Jadon Sancho. Juventus are prepared to walk away from their long-running transfer pursuit due to the eye-watering costs associated with taking him off Erik ten Hag's hands for the season.
Their withdrawal opens the door for Chelsea to have a clear run at the winger before tonight's deadline. And the wheels of a move could be greased by Raheem Sterling heading to Old Trafford, with talks over a Chelsea-United swap deal already having taken place.
Juve have pivoted away from Sancho partly due to the financial commitments involved in a loan deal, and partly to give youngster Samuel Mbangula a chance to impress in the first-team, according to Di Marzio.
Reports earlier this week suggested that a deal had been struck between United and the Bianconeri. But with Sancho now up for grabs again, Chelsea may take Juventus' decision as their cue to make a move on deadline day.
Arsenal could also be stung if Sterling heads to United as part of a Sancho trade. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has reportedly been weighing up a move for the out-of-favour Chelsea winger to provide competition for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Sterling's exit is reportedly dependent on his camp and Chelsea reaching a settlement over the remainder of his lucrative contract. Blues boss Enzo Maresca has made it clear that the former Liverpool and Manchester City wide man is free to move on.
"I prefer to be honest with players," said the Italian. "The ones who are not involved are not going to be involved and they won't get any minutes if they stay. I don't know what happens when the window closes if they are still here. The ones who will get minutes are the ones I think can help us.
"Raheem is a fantastic guy who has trained very well. Every manager has a different idea and he is the kind of winger that is not one that I like. History and numbers speak for Raheem. He knows exactly what he needs to do. The rest are training apart, they are not going to get minutes. I have been clear and honest with them."
Sterling has scored 19 goals in 81 games for Chelsea but he has not been included in any of their matchday squads so far this season.