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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea hold off on Marcel Sabitzer talks ahead of crucial Enzo Fernandez transfer meeting

Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich, with Chelsea not yet expressing an interest.

The Austria international is ready to leave the Bundesliga champions on transfer deadline day and has been identified as an option to fill the void in Erik ten Hag's midfield created by Christian Eriksen’s injury.

Man United announced on Tuesday that Eriksen has been sidelined with an ankle injury “until late April or early May” after Andy Carroll's heavy tackle in the club's 3-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

Eriksen joins Scott McTominay and Donny van der Beek on the injured list at Old Trafford, leaving with only Fred and Casemiro currently fit to play in deep midfield roles.

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Chelsea, meanwhile, could take an interest in signing the 28-year-old but remained focused on securing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.

The Blues are keen to make the 22-year-old midfielder their club-record signing for £115million and have a make-or-break meeting later on deadline day.

Enzo Fernandez remains a key target. (REUTERS)

The Portuguese giants continue to demand that the full buyout clause is paid but Chelsea want to spread the cost of the transfer over multiple seasons.

It follows a world record spend of almost £500m across the summer and window transfer markets on 16 players ahead of deadline day.

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