Romano: Chelsea’s main priority ahead of a move for Alejandro Garnacho | OneFootball

Chelsea remain interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho but the Blues are advancing with a different priority ahead of the Manchester United winger, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Burned Bridges

United are keen to sell Garnacho as quickly as possible as the 21-year-old winger is part of Ruben Amorim’s ‘bomb squad’ – a five-man list of outcasts who have no future under the Portuguese coach, including Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.

Amorim and Garnacho fell out following the Europa League final in which the Argentina international called United’s season “sh-t” and publicly questioned his future at Old Trafford after being dropped for the match.

INEOS threw their full weight behind Amorim, as they have with the other four undesirables, who promptly informed Garnacho he should find a new club in a team meeting a few days after the final in Bilbao.

United’s initial asking price was around the £70 million mark – a reflection of Garnacho’s talent and productivity at such a young age last season, despite issues off the pitch.

This valuation has proven overly ambitious, however, with suitors acutely aware of United’s weak negotiating position given the winger’s untenable situation at Old Trafford. The price is now believed to have dropped to £40 million.

Stay in England

Garnacho’s preference is to remain in England should he depart United this summer, despite interest from Serie A champions Napoli after attempts were made to agree a deal in January.

The Argentinian has been most strongly linked with a move to Chelsea, who also made advances towards signing him in the winter window, but Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have also registered interest this month.

However, Garnacho is thought to be prioritising a Champions League club, which would rule out a move to Villa Park, as the Villans missed out on fifth place on the final day of last season.

Chelsea are considered the most likely destination given their long-standing interest and the west London club’s active approach in the transfer market (only the seven players signed this 30so far…).

Romano reveals Chelsea “remain again attentive” to Garnacho’s situation but there have been “no club to club talks” yet. The winger is “one of the names on the shortlist” at Stamford Bridge.

Tweet: “Alejandro Garnacho wants Premier League move… and Chelsea remain again attentive to the situation. No club to club talks but still one of the names on the shortlist. Priority remains to advance on Xavi Simons at this stage.”

However, Chelsea are currently prioritising a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons – previously a target for United – before any other options are considered, Romano concludes.

Garnacho’s dream escape from Old Trafford looks set to continue, even after United drastically slashed the asking price for the wantaway winger. It turns out throwing your toys out of the pram does not work in the real world.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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