Chelsea are close to an agreement to sign Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho in a deal likely to be worth between £35m and £40m.
Talks are yet to conclude but there is an expectation United will lower their £50m asking price and reach a compromise that will allow the winger to move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are waiting to hear back from United and are confident the deal will go ahead. Garnacho has no future under Ruben Amorim but Chelsea regard the Argentinian as a top talent and believe they can get his career back on track.
It is understood Chelsea are confident they will not have to wait for the proposed sales of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson to go through before completing a move for Garnacho. Chelsea need to meet the terms of a Uefa settlement agreement stipulating they must have a “positive transfer balance” to register new players for the Champions League. The club are relaxed about the situation, however, with sources at Stamford Bridge stressing that suggestions they are under pressure to raise funds have been exaggerated.
The desire to bring in another winger means Garnacho is viewed as a bigger priority than the RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, who has emerged as a target for Tottenham. Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea head coach, uses a system that depends heavily on players staying wide and stretching the play. Chelsea want four wingers and see Garnacho competing with Jamie Gittens for a spot on the left.
Garnacho fell out of favour last season and has faced questions over his attitude. Yet his talent is not in doubt – he played a crucial role in United beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final in 2024 – and Chelsea have done extensive background checks on his character. Chelsea believe that Garnacho will thrive in a different environment.
Maresca wants plenty of depth in attack and has signed Liam Delap, João Pedro, Gittens and Estêvão Willian. Chelsea hold an interest in Fermín López but Barcelona do not want to sell the attacking midfielder. López could be an alternative to Simons.
Chelsea are confident they will sell Nkunku and Jackson. Nkunku has interest from leading European sides, as does Jackson, a target for Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Juventus and Napoli. Bayern are interested in a loan for Jackson, something Chelsea will only agree to if there is an obligation to buy.
Roma, Leizpig and teams in England are interested in the 19-year-old winger Tyrique George. Chelsea are still waiting for firm interest to materialise in Raheem Sterling. Fulham are a possible destination for Sterling.
