Kenya, Aug. 1 -- Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, keen on joining Chelsea, has made the Blues his top priority for a summer 2025 transfer, sources confirm, despite interest from clubs like Napoli and Aston Villa.
The 21-year-old Argentinian, who scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 58 appearances last season, is reportedly awaiting a formal bid from Chelsea later this month, following his strained relationship with United manager Ruben Amorim.
With Chelsea's Enzo Maresca eyeing reinforcements for the 2025-26 Premier League and Champions League campaigns, Garnacho's potential move could reshape the Blues' attack.
Garnacho's desire to join Chelsea first surfaced in January 2025, when the Blues considered a £60 million offer but hesitated due to United's high valuation and concerns over the winger's attitude.
United's subsequent decision to lower their asking price to £40 million, as reported by The Mirror, has reignited Chelsea's interest, aligning with their strategy of signing young, high-potential talents like Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap.
Garnacho's fallout with Amorim, exacerbated by his limited 20-minute appearance in the Europa League final loss to Tottenham, has fueled his exit talks.
His public frustration, expressed to reporters "I played every round to help the team reach the final, and today I only got 20 minutes" prompted Amorim to exclude him from United's pre-season U.S. tour, signaling an inevitable departure.
Chelsea's pursuit is complicated by their need to offload players to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Sources indicate that forwards Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson could be sold, with United showing interest in Jackson, potentially opening a swap deal, according to The Express.
Raheem Sterling's possible move to Fulham, as reported by TEAMtalk, could also free up funds and squad space for Garnacho, who prefers to stay in the Premier League and compete in the Champions League.
Chelsea's recent signings, including Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian, reflect Maresca's focus on versatile attackers, but Garnacho's directness and Premier League experience 16 goals and 10 assists in 93 appearances make him a prime target.
Napoli's interest, which saw two bids rejected in January, has cooled due to a €10 million valuation gap, with United holding firm at €65 million, per Sky Sports.
Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, remains a contender, with Garnacho reportedly intrigued by Emery's track record with young talents like Morgan Rogers, according to TBR Football.
However, Garnacho's clear preference for Chelsea, as confirmed by TEAMtalk, gives the Blues an edge, with the player "doing his homework" on other options like Villa only as a fallback. His reported rejection of a lucrative Al-Nassr move underscores his commitment to European football, particularly in London, his "dream destination."
Critics on Reddit's r/ChelseaFC debate whether Garnacho's "livewire" style, praised for its relentless dribbling, outweighs potential dressing-room risks, given his history of clashing with managers.
Maresca, speaking ahead of Chelsea's West Ham clash, remained non-committal, saying, "I'm happy with the ones we have," but sources suggest a bid is imminent before the August 31 deadline.
Chelsea's transfer strategy, bolstered by their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup win, hinges on balancing squad depth with financial prudence. The potential departure of Mykhailo Mudryk, facing a doping ban, and Joao Felix's move to Al-Nassr further necessitate a left-wing addition.
Garnacho's versatility to play as a left-winger or No. 10 fits Maresca's system, though his signing could hinge on outgoings like Sterling or Nkunku. A proposed swap with Jackson, valued at £100 million by Chelsea, remains speculative but could accelerate negotiations.
As the transfer window nears its close, Garnacho's eagerness to join Chelsea positions the Blues as frontrunners.
His 149 senior appearances and FIFA Puskas Award highlight his potential to thrive at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea must navigate United's valuation and squad dynamics to secure the deal, setting the stage for a high-stakes transfer saga.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.