Former Manchester United winger is heading for another fresh start in the summer transfer window after his time at Chelsea never got going
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is set to leave Chelsea (Image: Getty Images)
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Alejandro Garnacho is set to leave Chelsea this summer, less than a year after his move from Manchester United, new boss Xabi Alonso has confirmed. United are in line for a financial boost if a deal goes through.
The 22‑year‑old has has not reported for pre‑season as Chelsea work on an exit behind the scenes. Garnacho, who left United in a £40million switch last year, has interest from Europe and Saudi Arabia.
Our colleagues at football.london understand that an agreement is close, with Chelsea hoping to bank around £42m in a permanent transfer. United inserted a 10 per cent sell‑on clause in the deal, meaning they stand to profit from his departure.
When asked about the winger’s situation on Monday, new Chelsea boss Alonso said: "Well the situation is that we have spoken with the sporting directors. There is an interest for him from other clubs.
"So let's see how this develops. But hopefully, it finishes in the best possible way for other clubs."
Garnacho's spell at Chelsea has been brief and underwhelming. The 22‑year‑old scored just eight goals last season, with only one in the Premier League, and was largely used as a rotation option, struggling to stand out in a crowded attacking department.
He had shown flashes of quality at United before falling out with the hierarchy and losing his place under Ruben Amorim. He was benched for the Europa League final and reacted angrily on social media, later posting photos of himself in an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford's name on the back.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho has failed to make an impact at Chelsea(Image: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock)
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His desire to leave became obvious and United were happy to let him go.
At the time, former Old Trafford midfielder Nicky Butt delivered a scathing assessment of Garnacho during his spell overseeing United's academy. While the youngster's talent was obvious, his behaviour in the final weeks before leaving the club was deemed completely unacceptable.
"I thought he had an edge about him," Butt told The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast. "And when he got into the first team - I will just say what I think because I was there - he got above his station way too quick. He got superstar status way too quick.
"And that's not a former player saying they get paid too much, I hope young players get paid millions, but he got superstar status too quick and he obviously scored the bicycle kick which was phenomenal.
"Someone in that club or team at the time should have been swatting him down, and they might have been, and he ignored them. But the best thing United did was sell him because, forget his ability, and I don't think he is that great anyway, but I thought his attitude was a disgrace when he was at United.
"More importantly when he left, and if you completely disrespect your teammates and the football club when you leave, then that's it."
The situation is one United will monitor closely, with a potential sale offering them a useful boost towards their summer transfer spending.