Jadon Sancho is reportedly expected to seal a move away from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, swapping Old Trafford for Chelsea's Stamford Bridge.
The Athletic claim that the two Premier League giants are closing in on an agreement which would see the 24-year-old leave United after being frozen out again by boss Erik ten Hag.
Sancho returned to Manchester this summer after an impressive loan spell back at Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund and apologised to his head coach, clearing the air after their public spat forced the winger to be banished from the first team.
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He played in pre-season friendlies and the Community Shield, but has been left out of each of United's two Premier League squads, though Ten Hag appeared confident that the former England man would be remaining at the club.
"He is a player in our squad and we are happy with him," said Ten Hag during his press conference on transfer deadline day. "We need depth in the squad, we have to play many games until January due to the new Europa League format. After the break we will play every third day and we need options."
When asked if Sancho would be staying at Old Trafford, Ten Hag added: "As far as I know, yes."
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United had been willing to listen to offers of around £40million for Sancho all summer, with Juventus also interested, but the Red Devils and Chelsea have been in negotiations for a number of players and are close to reaching an agreement on the former £72m man.
He is expected to join Chelsea initially on loan with an obligation to buy next summer, with the two clubs in negotiations on the figure for that purchase.
Sancho is thought to be keen on joining Chelsea, despite strong levels of competition on the Blues' flanks in Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Mykhaylo Mudryk.
There had been rumours that either Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell or Carney Chukwuemeka could head in the opposite direction, but there is no suggestion that either member of Enzo Maresca's 'bomb squad' will be included as part of a deal for Sancho.
Chelsea could continue spending after Sancho's arrival, with the club ready to press forward on a blockbuster deal for Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen, but only if the striker is willing to live within their incentive-based wage structure.
