Napoli is poised to make a significant move for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, with the Italian club offering a guarantee to the winger and seeking a compromise with United to secure a deal.
Although the 20-year-old has made it clear that he is available for transfer, United is not pressuring him out the door, but rather looking to raise vital funds to strengthen their squad ahead of the approaching February 3 transfer deadline for Premier League clubs.
Garnacho has become a key figure in the transfer market, with Manchester United valuing him at around £60 million. However, Sky Italia reports that a deal could potentially be struck for £55 million, though United has shown resistance to lowering their asking price, especially when it comes to domestic rivals like Chelsea. United’s demand for a higher fee from Premier League clubs underlines their cautious approach in selling to a direct competitor, according to Sky’s Melissa Reddy.
While Chelsea remains interested, Garnacho’s preference seems to lean towards a move to Napoli. The Serie A giants had an initial bid of approximately €50m (£42m) for Garnacho rejected by Manchester United, prompting them to focus on the forward after their failed pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi. With Adeyemi’s move falling through, Napoli is now prepared to make a second, improved offer for Garnacho if United is willing to reduce their asking price.
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Reports indicate that Napoli is still short of the necessary €10m (£8.4m) gap to meet United’s valuation, but the club remains determined. They are actively preparing a more competitive bid, signaling their continued interest. If United does lower their price, Napoli is ready to make another approach. This puts the ball squarely in Napoli’s court, with the Italian club needing to adjust their offer to meet United’s demands while keeping Garnacho’s personal preferences in mind.
Unlike Marcus Rashford, who has been in the spotlight for different reasons, Garnacho has featured regularly for United over the past month despite being made available for transfer. According to Reddy, United is not desperate to sell the winger, and manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly happy with Garnacho’s professionalism and contributions both in training and on matchdays. “United are comfortable with Garnacho staying or going,” said Reddy, adding that the club would only part with him for a substantial fee.
Deal but not at Any Cost
Amorim’s positive outlook on Garnacho’s potential contributions to the squad further emphasizes United’s readiness to negotiate a deal but not at any cost. With both Napoli and Chelsea yet to meet United’s valuation, the decision remains a delicate one for the Red Devils. Should a deal go through, Garnacho would be expected to play a significant role at Napoli, filling the gap left by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s departure, particularly in the club’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.
In the meantime, Napoli has a clear idea of how Garnacho could fit into their tactical setup. As a player who thrives on the left-wing, the Argentine could slot seamlessly into the role previously occupied by Kvaratskhelia, utilizing his dribbling skills and cutting inside to shoot with his stronger right foot. This move would allow Garnacho to link up with key attacking figures like Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian acting as a target man and Garnacho contributing with goals and assists.
