Alejandro Garnacho hits new low as boss ‘contacts’ ex-Man United man over deal
A rival manager has reportedly reached out directly to Alejandro Garnacho in the hopes of giving the ex-Manchester United winger a route out of Chelsea in the summer transfer window
Ex-Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho is being linked with a surprise suitor after struggling at Chelsea(Image: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
This summer could present a major crossroads for Alejandro Garnacho amid reports he’s been contacted directly by a rival manager. However, it’s not necessarily the kind of interest the Argentina international might have envisioned one year after leaving Manchester United to join Chelsea.
Garnacho, 21, was seemingly considered to be a disruptive presence in United’s changing room prior to his Old Trafford exit. The winger spoke out against Ruben Amorim after being dropped by his former boss towards the end of that chapter, joining the Blues last summer in a £40million switch.
And after struggling for success under Liam Rosenior, Argentinian broadcaster TyC has reported he’s now a target for River Plate. So much so that manager Eduardo Coudet is alleged to have reached out personally in the hopes of luring the player.
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It’s suggested River Plate are interested in recruiting Garnacho on a one-year loan, which Chelsea could be open to. A temporary deal would give Garnacho a chance to rediscover his best form away from the bright lights of the Premier League.
The youngster has earned eight caps for Argentina and was part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad as they lifted the 2024 Copa America. However, Garnacho has never lived in the country and qualifies through his mother, having been born and raised in Madrid.
It’s a disappointing illustration of where his prospects stand today. Enzo Maresca was in charge at Stamford Bridge when Garnacho moved to west London last year and the Italian appeared to be a big fan of the player.
However, Rosenior hasn’t proved as receptive and initially benched Garnacho in his Premier League commitments. Most of the winger’s greatest impacts this season have come in cup competitions, including a brace off the bench during their 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals.
His output in league play hasn’t been nearly as prolific, with one goal and four assists from 20 appearances this season. Garnacho is contracted at Chelsea until the summer of 2032, however, leaving plenty of time to resurrect his profile to its former heights.
The downside of that is the Blues yet again leave themselves at risk of paying a depreciating asset on incredibly long terms. Garnacho is among the more median earners at Stamford Bridge on a wage of £110,000 a week, though that would still present a major obstacle for River Plate.
As such, Chelsea would be expected to at least cover a significant portion of the player’s salary while he was on loan. Furthermore, Garnacho has previously commented on the fact his family supports Boca Juniors, River Plate’s fiercest nemeses.
There’s no chance Los Millonarios would be able to compete for Garnacho’s signature on any permanent terms unless Chelsea took a massive loss. United have a vested interest in the player increasing his value, too, given they’re entitled to 10 per cent of any future fee Chelsea receive.
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