Winners and losers of Alejandro Garnacho joining Chelsea

Cameron Smith

24 Jan 2025 10:45 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea are actively pursuing a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho as they look to strengthen their first-team squad.

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The Blues enquired about a possible deal during the early weeks of the January transfer window, but contact has now ramped up and they are reportedly expected to approach Man Utd before Deadline Day.

Furthermore, despite significant interest from Napoli, reports from Argentina indicate that Garnacho would currently prefer to join Chelsea, and the Blues have already discussed a potential transfer with his representatives.

Enzo Maresca’s side are prepared to submit a formal offer for the 20-year-old and Garnacho could feasibly be a Chelsea player before the January window ends.

If Chelsea do sign Garnacho this month, who will benefit from the move and who will lose out?

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the winners and losers of Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea.

Winner - Alejandro Garnacho

Erik ten Hag was a huge admirer of Garnacho, but the Argentine’s stock has certainly dropped since the appointment of Ruben Amorim as his replacement.

The new system at Old Trafford isn’t particularly suited to Garnacho’s skillset and a move to Chelsea could help him rediscover his best form.

Furthermore, Man Utd are currently in a rebuilding phase, while Chelsea appear to be on the right track under Maresca.

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Alejandro Garnacho

Loser - Man Utd

While Man Utd will benefit financially from Garnacho’s departure, the Red Devils will lose a key player and one loved by the fanbase.

Although Garnacho isn’t strictly an academy graduate, given he joined the club from Atletico Madrid aged 16, he still spent time in Man Utd’s U18 and U21 teams, and therefore he is somewhat regarded as a Carrington product.

Furthermore, he is clearly a talented winger and at just 20 years old, he has time on his side to develop into a world class player.

Winner - Matheus Cunha

Although Man Utd fans will rue the sale of Garnacho, his departure could allow the club to sign Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian is clearly open to leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers and he is being pursued by virtually every top Premier League club amid a contract standoff with the Molineux outfit.

With the funds earned through Garnacho’s sale, Man Utd could fund a move for Cunha and he would thrive as a wide No.10 in Amorim’s system.

Loser - Jadon Sancho

Jadon Sancho was usurped by Garnacho during his time at Man Utd and he was forced to leave Old Trafford in order to find regular game time.

The ex-England international has impressed since his move to Chelsea last summer and he appears to have found a home at Stamford Bridge.

However, Garnacho’s potential arrival would threaten his place in Maresca’s starting XI, and given the Argentine will receive promises over first-team football if he joins Chelsea, Sancho could face another spell on the fringes.

© IMAGO - Jadon Sancho has performed well since joining Chelsea

Winner - Napoli

Napoli may see themselves as ‘losers’ if Garnacho joins Chelsea, but their failure to land the Argentine could be a blessing.

Man Utd are demanding a fee of €70m for the winger, yet his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at just €37.1m.

As a result, missing out on his signature could allow the Serie A giants to spend their Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cash on a more value-for-money signing.

Loser - Tyrique George

Tyrique George’s development will be completely blocked if Garnacho joins Chelsea.

The Cobham academy graduate has made 10 first-team appearances so far this season and Maresca is evidently a huge fan of the 18-year-old.

But, his pathway would be blocked by Garnacho and given the small age gap between the pair, George may struggle to ever usurp the Argentine. As a result, he could be forced to leave Chelsea altogether.