Chelsea have reportedly agreed to a 40 million deal to sign Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho ahead of Monday’s summer transfer deadline, with the 21-year-old Argentina international set to complete a move to Stamford Bridge after weeks of tense negotiations between the two clubs.
Garnacho will sign a seven-year contract with the Blues after turning down firm interest from Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Saudi Pro League clubs. He is scheduled to undergo his medical on Friday and could be unveiled during Chelsea’s Premier League home clash against Fulham on Saturday.
United initially valued Garnacho at 50m, while Chelsea were reluctant to go above 30m. The compromise was eventually struck at a 40m fixed fee, with United including a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal. A source close to United confirmed the agreement on Thursday.
The transfer will make Garnacho the fourth-most expensive sale in United’s history, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria. It also represents United’s biggest-ever fee for an academy graduate, with the entire amount counting as profit under Premier League PSR rules.
Garnacho, who has been told he could leave Old Trafford this summer, was frozen out of Ruben Amorim’s squad and did not travel on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. Instead, he trained with a group of unwanted players that included Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony. Rashford has since secured a loan move to Barcelona.
Since breaking into the senior team, Garnacho has made 93 Premier League appearances for United, scoring 16 goals and providing 10 assists. He memorably won the 2024 FIFA Pusks Award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton in November 2023 and lifted both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup under Erik ten Hag.
His departure marks another chapter in Amorim’s rebuilding process, with United winless in their opening two league games and suffering a shock League Cup exit on penalties to fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
For Chelsea, Garnacho will become Enzo Maresca’s ninth signing of the summer, joining fellow wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevo as part of a youthful rebuild at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea host Fulham on Friday, with Garnacho expected to be in attendance as the Blues close in on finalising one of the window’s most eye-catching deals.
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