According to The Independent, executives from both Manchester United and Chelsea have been engaged in discussions aimed at resolving several squad issues, with a particular focus on potential moves for players like Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, and Ben Chilwell. The idea of Chilwell switching to Old Trafford was proposed by Chelsea, especially given United's struggles with Shaw's recurring injury problems. However, despite these talks, United's management has decided to press on with their current options rather than committing to a costly transfer.

One of the significant factors behind United's decision to step back from pursuing Chilwell is the financial aspect of the deal. Reports suggest that there were massive disparity figures involved in any potential agreement which has led United to prioritise their own resources rather than engage in a deal that could strain their budget. Moreover, the Daily Mail's Mike Keegan has reported that United's war chest is "pretty much empty" after they signed Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and they are being used as a smokescreen to raise the value of Chilwell, Sterling and Ivan Toney.