Chelsea star Alejandro Garnacho has had a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge since joining from Manchester United last summer.
The Argentina international has managed just one Premier League goal this season and four assists in 20 appearances, with 14 of those coming from the start, while he has also managed one goal in the Champions League in nine appearances.
Garnacho has seen his spot in the side go to someone else, leaving him battling for minutes off the bench, and now the 21-year-old has been linked with a shock exit away from the club just 12 months after joining, with a surprise club making a play for his signature.
Alejandro Garnacho
According to a report by TyCSports journalist Gonzalo Carol, River Plate have made contact over a 12-month loan deal for Garnacho for this summer.
Eduardo Coudet, manager of River, has reached out to Garnacho personally to try and convince him of a move to South America, where he can develop physically and technically for a year before returning to Europe as a more complete player.
Chelsea are understood to be open to allowing him to move on loan, while they would also be open to a permanent move if the price was right, having been left underwhelmed by his performances having paid £40m to bring him in from Old Trafford.
It's unclear at the moment where Garnacho stands on a move to Argentina, but he is currently under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032, meaning the Blues hold all teh cards over his future.
Garnacho Out of World Cup Thinking
alejandro garnacho
The talented winger has never played in Argentina, having come through the academies of Atletico Madrid and Man Utd, but he made his international debut for the World Champions back in 2023.
However, his performances this season mean that the forward hasn't added to his eight caps for his nation since 2024, and he is not believed to be in contention for Lionel Scaloni's squad for the World Cup this summer.
A move to his homeland where he can play regularly and shine may be a way to get him back into the thinking of the national team, but it will not be easy for River Plate to get a deal over the line, with plenty of interest expected should he be made available.
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