The ongoing transfer saga surrounding Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has taken a significant turn.
Reports from The Mirror suggesting the young Argentine has now set his sights on joining Chelsea.
This development throws another intriguing twist into a summer transfer window already rife with high-profile movements.
Garnacho's future at Old Trafford has been under intense scrutiny for weeks.
Despite signing a new contract with Manchester United extending until June 2028 just last year, reports indicate a breakdown in his relationship with manager Ruben Amorim.
This apparent discord has led to the 20-year-old being made available for transfer, notably being excluded from United's recent pre-season tour.
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Chelsea's interest in Garnacho is not new; the London club explored a move for him during the January transfer window and has retained that interest throughout the summer.
While they have been busy with other attacking acquisitions like Jamie Gittens and João Pedro, and are reportedly closing in on Xavi Simons, reports suggest Garnacho's arrival would not rule out other targets.
Indeed, some outlets indicate Chelsea are looking to offload Christopher Nkunku to make room for further attacking talent.
Financially, the deal could be complex.
Manchester United initially valued Garnacho as high as £60 million, before reportedly lowering their asking price to around £40 million.
Chelsea, however, are understood to be unwilling to pay more than £30 million for the Argentine, potentially even exploring a swap deal involving players like Christopher Nkunku, though no such agreement is close.
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This price discrepancy, coupled with Garnacho's significant wages (reportedly £2.6 million per year), remains a hurdle.
For Garnacho, a move to Chelsea would offer a fresh start in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca, providing a platform to reignite his career after a promising but inconsistent period at United.
He scored 11 goals in all competitions last season for the Red Devils and possesses the raw pace and flair that could excite the Stamford Bridge faithful.
As the transfer window enters its final month, the revelation of Garnacho's preference for Chelsea adds another layer of intrigue.
Whether the two clubs can bridge the valuation gap and facilitate a move for the talented, albeit unsettled, winger will be a storyline to watch closely.
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