Manchester United are reportedly considering a surprise player swap involving Alejandro Garnacho and a Chelsea star.
Garnacho on Chelsea’s radar
Garnacho does not have a future at United under Ruben Amorim following their falling-out towards the end of last season, which means the forward is on the market and available for transfer.
The Argentine is one of five United players who have been exiled from the first team and made to train alone as they look for clubs willing to sign them this summer.
Garnacho has not been short of interest, even though concrete bids for him have yet to arrive.
He has been linked to the likes of Napoli, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Al-Nassr, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and of course, Chelsea.
The 21-year-old is believed to favour staying in the Premier League, with Chelsea high on his list thanks to their Champions League credentials and the appeal of a project that appears to be on the rise.
Garnacho may yet get his wish if a fresh update issued by The i Paper is anything to go by. According to the outlet, United are considering a swap deal involving Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson.
United interested in Jackson
It’s no secret that United are in the market for a striker, and after missing out on several top targets like Liam Delap, Viktor Gyokeres and Jonathan Davic, the Red Devils have been forced to think outside the box.
One name that has recently popped up is that of Jackson. The Senegalese is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge courtesy of the arrivals of Delap and Joao Pedro. Delap and Pedro both impressed in the Club World Cup, pushing Jackson down the pecking order.
Chelsea are open to offloading Jackson and United could offer him a way out.
Garnacho-Jackson swap deal on the cards
The i Paper reveals, “Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho could trade places this summer with both Chelsea and Manchester United keen to accelerate player sales. United have turned their attentions to Jackson, The i Paper has learned, as they desperately look to add firepower to their underperforming strike force.”
“No bids have been launched as yet, but the interest is there, especially if he can be acquired at a knockdown price with Chelsea overloaded in the striker department.”
The report names Chelsea as “long-term” admirers of Garnacho. The Blues want to bring in wingers and admire his directness and ball-carrying.
United want £60m for Garnacho – a sum that is considered too high. There is a willingness to go as low as £50m but this is still considered hefty.
The i Paper add, “Both United and Chelsea would prefer straight player sales, especially United, given Garnacho is an academy graduate and any revenue generated goes down as pure profit in the eyes of the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.”
“However, one source admitted some form of swap agreement could see both deals come to fruition.”
Villa and Tottenham are also in the background, keeping tabs on the situation and ready to pounce if an opportunity presents itself.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
