Manchester United rejected Romeo Lavia as part of the Chelsea deal for Alejandro Garnacho due to concerns over his fitness | OneFootball

Chelsea offered Romeo Lavia to Manchester United as part of the deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window, according to ESPN.

However, Man United rejected the offer due to concerns over his fitness record, selling Garnacho to the Blues in a straight £40 million deal.

United manager Ruben Amorim wanted a new defensive midfielder last summer, and Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba was on their radar.

However, Man United did not pursue a deal for the Cameroon international, having spent over £200m on new additions to their squad.

Chelsea were hoping to sign Garnacho for less than £40m and were willing to offer Lavia as a makeweight to get the deal over the line.

The Blues manager Enzo Maresca praised the Belgian midfielder in April, insisting he is ‘one of the best midfielders’ when he is fit.

Lavia joined Chelsea from Southampton in 2023 after rejecting Liverpool, but has hardly been fit. He is set to miss at least a month with a quadriceps injury after a recent knock.

He has played 29 times for Chelsea but has missed 88 games due to his constant injuries, and Man United were right to reject the chance to sign him.

The Belgian has yet to play 90 minutes for the London club. While he has enormous potential, his fitness issues have limited him.

Turning down the offer from Chelsea to sign him proved that the Red Devils are not desperate despite their need to add steel to their midfield.

Man United are reportedly eyeing Olympiacos midfielder Christos Mouzakitis. Brighton & Hove Albion also have him on their radar.