Chelsea have hit a major stumbling block in their bid to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
The Blues are keen to bring Garnacho to Stamford Bridge this summer after the Argentina winger was placed in Ruben Amorim’s bomb squad.
Amorim told Garnacho at the end of last season to find a new club after being left fuming by comments he and his brother made following the Europa League final.
The United boss also grew frustrated with Garnacho’s performances on the pitch and had already criticised his output in training earlier in the season.
Garnacho accepts his Old Trafford career is over but wants to remain in the Premier League and play for a Champions League club.
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That has made Chelsea the favourites to secure his signature and Garnacho has already agreed personal terms with the west Londoners.
But Garnacho may be forced to look elsewhere for his next club as Chelsea and Manchester United are still £20m apart in terms of their valuations for the player.
Despite his presence in Amorim’s bomb squad, United are holding out for £50m for Garnacho, once one of the most highly-rated players in the Premier League.
The problem, however, is that Chelsea value Garnacho at £30m based on a bid made by Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window.
This revelation from The Telegraph means Manchester United will either have to slash their asking price or hope Chelsea reconsider and submit a bid more to their liking.
Given Garnacho’s desire to move to Stamford Bridge, he will hope his current and possible future club can meet in the middle and agree a deal before the transfer deadline.
Chelsea have spent another £250m this summer, bolstering Enzo Maresca’s squad with the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato.
The Conference League champions and Club World Cup holders are still in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Netherlands international Xavi Simons.
Chelsea warned against signing Garnacho
‘I don’t see Alejandro Garnacho as a great fit at Chelsea,’ ex-Stamford Bridge star Pat Nevin told football betting site BetVictor.
‘Chelsea might do it to make money, but is he going to come and light up Chelsea more than Pedro Neto, whose professional attitude, his work rate he’s given for the team has been absolutely fantastic?
‘There’s a whole bunch of other players in that position. Jamie Gittens has come in, Chelsea also have Estevao from Brazil with a lot of expectation, how many players do you need there?
‘£50m isn’t to be sniffed at, you don’t make that much more than that for getting into the Champions League and having a good run. Do you want to spend that on Garnacho who may or may not do okay?
‘Also, if it doesn’t work at Chelsea and it kind of worked averagely at best at Manchester United, there’s no big profit there. So it would surprise me, but I am often surprised by Chelsea.’
That transfer may rely on player sales, however, with Chelsea keen to offload Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.
Despite Garnacho’s undoubted talent, Ally McCoist believes Chelsea should walk away from the deal with Manchester United.
‘I’m not having it, no,’ the Rangers legend said on talkSPORT. ‘Man United are desperately trying to get rid of him.
‘Stay away. I don’t think Chelsea need him at this moment in time. I know [Noni] Madueke’s away across the city [having joined Arsenal], but no.’
Garnacho has scored 26 goals in 144 appearances for Manchester United since making his debut for the Red Devils in 2022 as an 18-year-old.
United are trying to offload Garnacho at the same time as selling Jadon Sancho, a target for a number of Italian clubs, and Antony, who wants to return to Real Betis.
Rasmus Hojlund could also be sold following the £74m signing of Benjamin Sesko and has held talks with Serie A side AC Milan.
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