Alejandro Garnacho is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Napoli are doing their utmost to get a deal over the line for Alejandro Garnacho amid outside interest from Chelsea.
Last week, Manchester United rebuffed the Serie A leaders’ opening £40 million bid for Garnacho due to it not meeting their £60m valuation.
It’s now expected that Napoli will return with an improved proposal to again test the Red Devils’ resolve while also offering them added incentive to accept; according to Naples-based outlet Il Mattino, the board have informed United they can sign previously-linked forward Victor Osimhen for a reduced price if they quit playing hardball in negotiations for Garnacho.
Osimhen, who scored 76 goals across four seasons in Italy, is spending the campaign on loan with Galatasaray after being exiled by Antonio Conte at the beginning of the term. However, the board do retain the right to recall him from his temporary spell and offload him permanently to any side willing to match his price tag – believed to be around the £63m mark.
Garnacho tipped to make way for in-form Osimhen
Acquiring the Nigerian would instantaneously revitalise Ruben Amorim’s frontline. At one time of day, he was the most prolific frontman in Europe and would be joining a team who’ve scored only 27 goals in 22 Premier League matches this season.
Add the fact that Amorim is poised to be without Antony and perhaps even Marcus Rashford for the remainder of the term, and it leaves him with too few options to really try and salvage something from United’s dismal campaign.
That being said, the majority of the Old Trafford faithful vehemently oppose the sale of one of their most promising up-and-coming prospects. Garnacho worked his way through the academy to cement a starting role, and while he’s fallen slightly out of favour under the new boss, he remains one of the most important stars at Amorim’s disposal.
Alejandro Garnacho is averaging 0.60 xG+xA p90 across all competitions this season, the best rate of any Man Utd player.
Should be kept at the club at all costs. 🔐 pic.twitter.com/BcCQ1aTJBe
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 21, 2025
