‘In informal discussions’: The Athletic confirm Man United are privately negotiating summer deal with PL club

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·5. August 2025

‘In informal discussions’: The Athletic confirm Man United are privately negotiating summer deal with PL club

Manchester United are actively negotiating Alejandro Garnacho’s exit from the club, with Chelsea now his first-choice suitor.

Indeed, Red Devils’ wantaway has set his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge despite garnering interest from clubs across the continent.

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Garnacho is determined to continue plying his trade in England, where he’s spent the last five years working his way through the ranks at Carrington following a £420,000 transfer from Atletico Madrid’s academy in 2020.

Alejandro Garnacho waiting on Chelsea move

Garnacho is desperate to join the Blues this summer. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

A switch to the Blues will allow Garnacho to play Champions League football next term and, given the side’s successes in 2024/2025, be well in contention to win silverware on numerous fronts.

However, competition in Chelsea’s squad is stark, and a starting spot on Enzo Maresca’s flanks certainly won’t be a given like it has been at United over the last two seasons.

His senior record of 26 goals and 22 assists in 144 first-team appearances has prompted INEOS to demand around £40 million for him this summer. Add that to the fact he’s an eight-capped Argentine international and has won the Copa America, Carabao Cup and FA Cup at just 21 years old, and you could argue they’ve hugely undervalued the forward.

Garnacho to Chelsea: The state of play

According to The Athletic in this morning’s Transfer DealSheet, United and Chelsea are now in ‘informal discussions’ for Garnacho.

The London outfit are currently prioritising the arrival of RB Leipzig starlet Xavi Simons, but they are aiming to welcome both players before 2025/2026 gets underway, so they will presumably submit their opening proposal for the exiled Red in the coming weeks.

Garnacho has not featured for United during their pre-season preparations and has instead been keeping up his fitness levels at Carrington while he awaits his impending sale.