It’s time for Manchester United to get a few player sales done. How desperate is it getting?
Manchester United are set to wrap up a deal to sign Benjamin Sesko, with the £66 million signing the third major incoming this summer.
United can afford the considerable expense, but player sales are expected, and well overdue. This summer not a single player has left the club for a fee, with Marcus Rashford sent on loan to Barcelona.
Now the future of Alejandro Garnacho is rising back to the top of the agenda, with an increasing sense of urgency.
Alejandro Garnacho and Chelsea move appears inevitable
Alejandro Garnacho appears set for a move to Chelsea, with negotiations ongoing between the two clubs.
Garnacho is desperate to stay in the Premier League, and has made Chelsea his clear choice, shunning interest from Tottenham and Aston Villa.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey explains how Garnacho has weakened Manchester United’s negotiating power by insisting there is only one club he wants to join.
He told United In Focus that Chelsea are trying to drive the price below £40 million, and believe Manchester United will have to relent.
Bailey explained: “Chelsea think United are going to have little choice and are in a very strong position when it comes to bargaining, as Garnacho has now made it clear he really only wants Chelsea – despite interest from Spurs and Villa who would pay 40 million.
“Terms are not done between the two clubs yet – United are coming way down from their January levels when they were quoting £70m, I believe that Chelsea think they could get him for half that.
“I think Garnacho will end up at Stamford Bridge but there is work to be done between the clubs.”
Dramatic turnaround for Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho was Manchester United’s biggest rising star a year ago, the FA Youth Cup winner turned FA Cup winner.
Garnacho was upset by Erik ten Hag’s sacking and struggled to make an impact under new boss Ruben Amorim.
He was not a good fit for Amorim’s narrower system and the move for Matheus Cunha showed United were ready to move on.
By this point Garnacho had already fallen out with Amorim, after being left out of the starting line-up in the Europa League Final.
He was missing from United’s kit reveal earlier this summer, while United fans have also lost patience with his antics, the latest coming when he was pictured wearing an Aston Villa shirt earlier this summer.
A player who once kissed the badge and earned praise from club legends like David Beckham, this is a sad end to his onCe highly promising career at Old Trafford.
£35m price would be disgraceful return – comment
Despite the frustration among club and fanbase with Garnacho’s actions, he is worth far more than the price Chelsea are trying to sign him for.
Major transfers this summer have set the market for talented youngsters, with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Anthony Elanga both moving clubs for £55 million.
Garnacho is more accomplished than both players, an international with Argentina too, and has the potential to be a £70 million plus player.
The big question is whether his attitude will allow him to become the player he aspires to be, and perhaps that risk is baked into the cost, £35 million would still be a disgraceful return.
The problem for United is what can be done about it at this late point, as any money gained for the winger can be put towards a new addition in midfield or at goalkeeper.
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