Chelsea have finalised a £40m agreement to bring Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. The 21-year-old Argentina forward was instructed to leave Old Trafford at the end of last season by manager Ruben Amorim.
United initially asked for £60m, but the final package, which includes a 10% sell-on clause, places this among their four largest player sales, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel di Maria. The deal follows Chelsea’s rejected £25m offer earlier in the window.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital assumed control, the west London club have invested over £500m in wide players when accounting for add-ons. With strikers included, the total surpasses £650m, though exits have ensured books remain balanced. Player sales are critical due to UEFA’s demand for a “positive transfer balance” in this market to allow squad registration for the Champions League, alongside a €31m fine.
The imminent £32m transfer of Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan takes Chelsea’s confirmed income from departures to £263.2m this summer, establishing a Premier League record. Nicolas Jackson is in talks with Bayern Munich over an initial loan with a possible purchase clause, while Tyrique George is also set to leave.
Garnacho’s record and playing profile
Since his debut in 2022, Garnacho has accumulated 144 senior appearances, scoring 27 times. His work rate without the ball has been a consistent asset, with no United teammate regaining possession in the attacking third more frequently last campaign.
He hit double figures across competitions in consecutive seasons but drew criticism for inefficiency in front of goal. In the 2024–25 league season, he struck six times from 36 matches, attempting 84 shots. His conversion rate of 7.1% ranked among the lowest of players attempting over 50 shots, and he finished only two of the 16 clear opportunities he received.
Despite these figures, Chelsea view him as a valuable addition. Manager Enzo Maresca had requested both a defender and a left-sided attacker, but only the attacking reinforcement was approved. Garnacho now arrives to challenge recent recruit Jamie Gittens.
Tensions at Manchester United
The forward’s United future became uncertain after a dispute with Amorim in a Europa League fixture last December. The coach felt Garnacho ignored instructions, leading to a temporary exclusion from the squad. Though reinstated, his role diminished in subsequent weeks.
The situation escalated in May when he was left out of the Europa League final line-up against Tottenham. Afterward, his brother posted criticism online, and Garnacho questioned the decision in an interview. Amorim later directed him to seek a new club.
The attacker toured Asia with United but was excluded from the pre-season trip to the United States. He trained separately alongside Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford, who later joined Barcelona on loan. Talks with Chelsea resumed, with his agents previously spotted at Stamford Bridge in January.
With Amorim’s system not favouring wingers, Garnacho’s position was untenable. His preference for Chelsea was well known, and the move is now set to be completed.
