Arsenal have been named as one of the clubs interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United this summer.
United are prepared to sell the Argentina international to help fund another overhaul of the squad with Matheus Cunha already brought in for Ruben Amorim’s rebuild.
Garnacho is perhaps the most valuable asset in the United squad, with the winger effectively sealing his own fate after publicly criticising his manager for not starting him in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
Reports last week claimed three Premier League clubs are interested in signing the 20-year-old this summer along with Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen with Erik ten Hag seeking a reunion with the player in Germany.
Chelsea were keen on Garnacho during the January transfer window with the Blues still monitoring his situation. Aston Villa have also been named as an interested party.
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Reports in Argentina have sensationally claimed Arsenal are the third club. Leading Argentine journalist Gastón Edul claimed on his YouTube channel that Garnacho’s preference is to remain in the Premier League, having turned down an offer from Napoli earlier in the year.
When asked which Premier League teams have shown interest in the United star, Edul said: ‘Chelsea and Arsenal’.
Arsenal are hoping to bring in another wide option this summer with Rodrygo, Anthony Gordon and Nico Williams among their targets.
The Gunners are hoping to finalise the arrival of Martin Zubimendi soon and remain in talks to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
United meanwhile have set a new price tag for Garnacho with the Independent claiming they want £70million for the former Atletico Madrid youngster.
Garnacho was dropped by Amorim for the Manchester derby back in December but forced his way back into the team after the turn of the year with the United boss praising his application and willingness to adapt to his system and demands.
Garnacho’s row with Amorim has sealed his Man Utd exit
The cast and circumstances are different, but the tension between Ruben Amorim and Alejandro Garnacho has drawn parallels with another ugly stand-off that engulfed the club not long ago.
Jadon Sancho’s very public falling out with Erik ten Hag in August 2023 signalled the end of his time at the club – even if United are still scrambling to remove him from their books.
The former Borussia Dortmund winger was accused of failing to meet the required standards in training – something Garnacho is certainly not guilty of with Amorim praising the Argentine for his determination and eagerness to adapt to his methods earlier this year.
But openly challenging his manager’s decisions is a rotten look. We will never know what might have happened had Garnacho started against Tottenham in the Europa League final but the winger has been as guilty as anyone of missing big chances this season. Arguing he has played every round of the knockout stages leading to the final is a valid one – but just one goal in the Europa League this season suggests Amorim’s decision had its own merits. Garnacho can and should be doing more, something he and his brother may have overlooked as the red mist descended in May.
The bigger picture is Garnacho openly defied his manager at a moment when the club is reeling, staggering towards the end of a disastrous season that has broken records in mediocrity.
United cannot afford to let the tension draw out like it did between Sancho and ten Hag. And with the club desperate to raise additional funds in the summer transfer window, one of their tougher decisions may have just got a little easier.
Tony Mogan | Assistant Sports Editor, Metro
The winger was a first-team regular again but found himself left out of the starting XI for the Europa League final against Tottenham with Mason Mount selected ahead of him.
‘Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know,’ Garnacho said. ‘I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.’
Those comments reportedly promoted a furious reaction from Amorim days later, with the manager telling the player ‘to pray’ he finds a new club this summer.
Garnacho was subsequently left out of the squad for the final game of the Premier League season against Aston Villa but travelled with the squad to Asia for post-season friendly matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong.