Chelsea take Alejandro Garnacho interest to the next level as Napoli eye alternative | OneFootball

Chelsea are expected to take the next steps towards the potential January signing of Alejandro Garnacho by now approaching Manchester United to negotiate a deal, according to reports.

Garnacho, who was a key player under Erik ten Hag, has fallen out of favour under new head coach Ruben Amorim in recent weeks. The Argentine winger has started only four of the last 11 Premier League games, and just once since being dropped from the matchday squad for last month's derby.

Amad Diallo has been the biggest beneficiary of Garnacho's sudden fall from grace, often paired with Bruno Fernandes in advanced midfield positions behind a central striker.

Napoli have been heavily linked with a move, having already sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain, but have so far fallen short of the steep asking price.

Garnacho has also been targeted by Napoli / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea have been in touch with Garnacho's representatives, gauging the player's interest in a switch to Stamford Bridge, and are taking things forward to speak with United officials. Reading between the lines, it appears the Garnacho camp has given the Blues sufficient encouragement for them to move the process on to the next stage.

Napoli are said to "remain keen" on Garnacho but are hedging their bets by also putting together a package for Borussia Dortmund talent Karim Adeyemi.

Despite being competitive rivals since the late 1990s, United and Chelsea have a track record of doing business when it suits both parties.

Juan Mata made a £37.1m switch to Old Trafford in January 2014 at a time when he was Chelsea's back-to-back reigning player of the year, while Juan Sebastian Veron, Mason Mount, Jadon Sancho, Nemanja Matic and Mark Hughes have also moved between the clubs in the Premier League era.