Why Man Utd can't afford another Paul Pogba scenario with Alejandro Garnacho
Cameron Smith
- 7 Jun 2022 21:55 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are potentially facing the prospect of suffering yet another failure in the market with news of interest in wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho.
The 17-year-old has already featured in Argentina's senior squad as his country seek to show how important he is to their future plans, and his talent has already been displayed for Man Utd's youth teams.
He netted 14 goals and assisted a further six in 34 games for Man Utd's various youth sides in the 2021/22 season, including two in the FA Youth Cup final victory over Nottingham Forest.
Related articles
His form for the U18s and U23s saw him rewarded with two games in the Premier League last season, as Ralf Rangnick trusted him with substitute appearances against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
However, Man Utd will be concerned with his contract situation. At the minute, Garnacho's deal will expire in 2023, leaving him free to talk to other clubs in January next year and available on a free transfer next summer.
Having joined from Atletico Madrid's youth set-up in 2020, Man Utd could lose the youngster if they can't tie him down to a new deal.
Of course, there's still time for Garnacho to agree to an extended deal at Old Trafford, but nothing has been decided yet.
Garnacho to Juventus?
It has been reported by Calciomercato that Juventus are eyeing up a move for Garnacho if the teenager opts against signing a new deal at Man Utd. Juve have become renowned for their free transfer signings over recent years, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Dani Alves, Sami Khedira and of course Paul Pogba arriving without a fee attached.
The case with Pogba is interesting as Juventus poached him from Man Utd as a youngster before developing him into one of the world's best midfielders. Just like with Garnacho, Pogba's first professional contract at Man Utd expired in his teenage years and after rejecting the offer of staying at the club, he signed for Juventus on a free transfer.
Man Utd risk the exact same thing happening with Garnacho, and they will feel as though history could strike twice if Juventus heavily pursue a move, as has been touted.
The events that transpired from the saga surrounding Pogba should warn off the Red Devils from making the same mistake with Garnacho.
Of course, after letting Pogba leave for free, Man Utd re-signed him for a world record fee in 2016, but he never hit the heights of his Juve days, and he looks set to re-join the Turin club this summer upon the expiration of his contract.
In total, Pogba cost Man Utd a whopping €214.1m (£183.5m) in the transfer fee, wages and bonuses, and that returned just two trophies, both collected in his first season at the club.
A similar scenario may not occur with Garnacho even if he were to leave next summer, but Man Utd should avoid finding out at all costs. He may still be young, but he's clearly talented enough to become a seriously good player for the club.
