Jadon Sancho, currently out of favour at Manchester United, could be thrown a lifeline by Bayer Leverkusen, even as Chelsea prepare to pay a £5million penalty for reneging on their £25million obligation to purchase the winger at season's end.
United are prepared to cut their losses on the £73million ex-England international after learning that the London club is unlikely to exercise their option to sign Sancho permanently following his year-long loan at Stamford Bridge.
This has piqued the interest of Bundesliga duo Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund. Both clubs would require Sancho to take a pay cut from his current £250,000-a-week wage, but United's readiness to accept less than £20million for the 25 year old could make the deal feasible.
Leverkusen are keen to inject some creativity into their squad as they brace for life without coach Xabi Alonso and playmaker Florian Wirtz. Alonso is poised to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, while Wirtz, valued at over £100million, is being courted by both Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen could use part of that windfall to outbid Dortmund for Sancho, and they can also offer him Champions League football, something their rivals may struggle to do as they fight for a top-four finish.
Sancho had the most successful period of his career at Dortmund before transferring to Old Trafford four years ago, and he returned there on loan when his stint at United turned sour.
United manager Ruben Amorim has unequivocally stated that there is no future at the club for Sancho, Marcus Rashford or Antony - and the Reds are actively seeking ways to generate funds for a squad overhaul.
Sancho will have only one year remaining on his contract come summer, and his market value is set to plummet further once Chelsea declare their plan to activate a clause. This would allow them to abandon any commitment to purchase by compensating United with £5million.