Alejandro Garnacho has dropped the biggest hint yet that his proposed transfer move from Manchester United to Chelsea could be imminent.
The 21-year-old has made it clear he wishes to leave Old Trafford this summer on the back of United’s wretched season last term, in which the club finished with their lowest-ever points tally in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim’s relationship with Garnacho is thought to be beyond repair and the Argentina international was left out of United’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States.
Chelsea have been Garnacho’s preference ever since they made their interest known around six months ago and discussions have been advancing at a pace between the two parties, with personal terms now agreed.
However, the Blues are yet to reach an agreement with United over a transfer fee. It’s understood the Red Devils are demanding £50million for the young attacker having initially asked for £70m in January.
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While negotiations are still ongoing, Garnacho took to Instagram on Sunday night to fuel speculation that his move to west London could be just around the corner.
The forward shared a photograph which showed him looking somewhat pensive and introspective in a gym, along with a hourglass emoji which, perhaps understandably, has left many United fans unimpressed.
Should Chelsea strike a deal with United, Garnacho would become the club’s seventh signing of the summer – following Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Garnacho still has three years remaining on his current contract at the Theatre of Dreams.
Asked about Garnacho’s future while in Chicago last week, United head coach Amorim told reporters: ‘You can see he is talented, he’s a really talented boy.
‘But sometimes things don’t work out.
‘You cannot explain specifically what it is but I have the feeling it’s clear Garnacho wants a different thing with a different leadership.
‘I can understand that. It is not a problem. Sometimes you adapt to one guy and have a connection, other times you want a new challenge. It’s a natural thing in football.’
Back in May, Garnacho threw his future into serious doubt by publicly questioning Amorim’s decision to play him for 20 minutes in the side’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
‘Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,’ he said.
‘The final will influence [my decision] but the whole season, the situation of the club.
‘I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens afterwards.’
Garnacho’s brother Roberto went a step further, accusing Amorim of throwing his sibling under the bus.
‘Working as no-one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus,’ he wrote on Instagram.
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