Just when you think you have seen it all in football, we now are on the brink of seeing a very first in the sport – the first lose-lose-lose-lose transfer.
Transfers have gone bonkers in recent years and two clubs arguably the most guilty of continuing the carousel are Manchester United and Chelsea.
Chelsea under Clearlake Capital are acting like a hedge fund manager in a sweet shop, throwing exorbitant amounts of money at square pegs for every round hole at Stamford Bridge.
United, meanwhile, have become addicted to burning pound notes on bargain bin players, none of whom can hold a candle to the legends that strutted around Old Trafford in years gone by.
Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho could be on the move before the end of August
PA
However, this summer there have been signs that both clubs have learned the errors of their ways – Chelsea have made some smart signings like Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, United as well have improved their defence with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, and are closing in on a defensive midfielder in Manuel Ugarte.
But like most addicts, there is always the fear of relapsing – and that is where we stand now.
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Many football fans have been baffled by the news that United and Chelsea are locked in talks over a potential deal that would see Sterling and Sancho swap clubs.
The two find themselves in impossible situations at their current clubs – Blues boss Enzo Maresca has told Sterling he is not wanted and Sancho and Erik ten Hag’s relationship is prickly at best.
Both are remarkably similar: they are English wingers, they were signed for huge money, and have not looked worth a fraction of those prices.
Not to mention the outrageous wages both players are on – earning well over £300,000 a week at their respective clubs.
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So in their infinite wisdom, United and Chelsea have decided that the best course of action might be to replace one with the other and see how that plays out.
It is impossible to see how anyone will benefit from this deal – do United get value for money for a player they bought for £73million?
Do Chelsea need another winger, having already signed Neto and Joao Felix this summer alongside current options Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer (not mentioning their other acquisitions Willian Estevao, Kendry Paez and Angelo Gabriel)?
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Chelsea have already ostracised Raheem Sterling
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Does Sterling rediscover his form from his Manchester City days in a dysfunctional United side?
Does Sancho find himself at a club where he is playing regularly in a role he thinks he deserves?
The answer to all four questions is highly unlikely, and that is being kind.
Jadon Sancho has not lived up to expectation at Manchester United
PA
Who knows, it might be a masterstroke of a deal and both players suddenly become world-beaters, finding a home away from their current ruts.
But it is a massive gamble from Chelsea and United at a time when both clubs might be better hedging their bets after disappointing campaigns the season before.