Chelsea are interested in signing a second Manchester United star after Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports.
Garnacho has already given the green light to a summer move to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are yet to agree terms with their Premier League rivals.
United are holding out for £50m for the Argentina international but Chelsea are reluctant to meet that price given Garnacho is in Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’.
Not too long ago Garnacho was viewed as one of the most highly-rated players at Old Trafford but his career has stagnated.
Amorim has instructed his bosses to offload the winger and was unhappy with comments Garnacho and his brother made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
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Garnacho was subsequently left out of United’s pre-season tour of the States and has been training away from his teammates ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Keen to remain in the Premier League and play for a Champions League club, Garnacho has already agreed personal terms in principle with Chelsea but is waiting for an agreement to be struck between the clubs.
Chelsea are pursuing Garnacho despite already spending around £250m on new signings this summer.
The Blues are also working on a deal for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and remain interested in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with a move for the England international over the past 12 months and The Sun say they are still ‘waiting with open arms’.
While not actively looking to sell Mainoo, United are struggling to tie the 20-year-old down to a new long-term contract.
Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford in 2023-24, earning a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad and starting the final against Spain.
But he was less influential last season and it has been suggested he could struggle for game-time in Amorim’s system given the club’s summer business.
In an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel urged his former club to poach both Mainoo and Garnacho from Manchester United.
‘I like both of these players,’ he said. ‘I have no idea what the issue is with Garnacho and Ruben Amorim because for me he is one of the best players at United.
Man Utd star Mainoo would ‘improve’ Chelsea
‘The squad is what it is, and you want to get rid of Garnacho. Really? I can’t see the sense in that because every time he plays he is a threat.
‘The issue is probably the defensive side of his game but that is something you have to work with a young player on. To change their mentality to make sure their defensive responsibilities are taken seriously.
‘With Kobbie Mainoo, maybe they feel they need to cash in on him to raise the funds. Maybe he did not have the season we all expected from him last season, he looked a shadow of the player he was when he first burst onto the scene.
‘Again, I have no idea what the issue has been. The system, the manager? Is he not happy with the environment at the football club?
‘There are so many factors you have to look at right now with Manchester United. If those are two players Chelsea want, I will take those two, definitely.
‘They can only come in and improve us as a football club. I know if they come in, they will improve us as a team.’
Manchester United legend Gary Neville, meanwhile, believes it is imperative that the Red Devils keep hold of Mainoo and ‘build a team’ around the youngster.
Selling Kobbie Mainoo a ‘step too far’
‘Mainoo, no. That’s a step too far,’ the eight-time Premier League winner argued.
‘If we can’t give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him.
‘Why can’t we make him a top player? If he’s one of ours and he’s shown talent. I don’t know what’s gone on there in the last few months.
‘He’s obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I’d like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays.
‘It’s probably not Casemiro as his partner and it’s probably not Ugarte as his partner, it’s probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I’m being honest.
‘But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he’s come through the ranks.’
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