Alejandro Garnacho completed a move from Manchester United to Chelsea back in the summer.
Alejandro Garnacho during the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho joined Chelsea from Man United back in the summer. (Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho's future at Chelsea appears increasingly in doubt, with the Blues already casting their eye over potential targets. Garnacho swapped Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge last summer, with United pocketing a £40million fee.
Yet things have not gone as well as either Chelsea or the player might have hoped. In his 21 Premier League appearances this season, Garnacho has found the net just once.
The Argentine has scored once in nine Champions League outings, twice in four FA Cup matches, and four times in four League Cup appearances, but will still have expected a far greater return in his debut campaign.
Garnacho has seen his playing time diminish somewhat under Liam Rosenior compared to the opportunities afforded to him by former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. It now appears that serious questions are being raised over his long-term prospects at Stamford Bridge.
The Telegraph report that Chelsea are pushing on with plans to sign a forward capable of operating on the left flank when the summer transfer window swings open. This suggests the Blues remain far from convinced about Garnacho.
Should they succeed in that pursuit, it would make it all the more probable that they will attempt to offload Garnacho during the very same window. Whether Chelsea are able to recoup the £40m fee they paid to United last summer remains to be seen, though it appears increasingly unlikely given the season he has endured.
Reports emerging from Argentina claim that Garnacho is firmly in River Plate's sights, with manager Eduardo Coudet having personally reached out to the player.
It is reported that the club are hoping to secure the 21-year-old on a one-year loan, an arrangement Chelsea may well be willing to consider.
Speaking about Garnacho earlier this year, Rosenior praised the winger, despite his reduced game time: "Garna is a top player," he said.
Alejandro Garnacho during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Alejandro Garnacho has been linked with a Chelsea exit this summer(Image: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images)
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"We have changed a little bit tactically since I came in. I have wanted to dominate midfield areas, which has meant at times I have only played with one winger.
"But Garna is an outstanding player. What I have really liked in this period is his reaction to not starting. He has been training very, very well. He has shown real positivity."
During his spell at United, Garnacho netted 26 goals and chipped in with a further 22 assists across 144 first-team outings for the club. Yet his time there drew to a rather bitter conclusion after he publicly criticised former boss Ruben Amorim.
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