Manchester United have raised the asking price for Alejandro Garnacho as more clubs join the race for his signature.
Despite playing well on occasion this season, Alejandro Garnacho has had a very tough season for Manchester United, especially since the departure of Erik ten Hag earlier in the season.
Rúben Amorim has played Garnacho as one of the two attacking midfielders in his 3-4-2-1 system, usually behind Rasmus Højlund, but his best form came at the beginning of the season when he played on the left wing for ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
After the Europa League final, Garnacho openly criticised Amorim for dropping him after playing well in previous rounds. The Argentine wasn’t happy about Mason Mount being chosen ahead of him despite Mount’s struggle with injuries throughout the season.
Before United played Aston Villa in the final game of the Premier League season, Amorim slammed Garnacho in front of the rest of the squad, saying: “You better pray that you can find a club to sign you.”
The Argentine wasn’t named in the squad for the 2-0 victory against Villa, but he played twice in the post-season tour in Asia. Despite this, almost all signs point towards an exit for Garnacho this summer.
United raise Garnacho price tag
In previous weeks, Jason Wilcox and the rest of the transfer team were believed to be demanding £60 million for Garnacho’s signature, with Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli two of the most interested parties.
However, The Independent have now reported that United have raised their asking price to £70 million, with Aston Villa and Chelsea joining the race for the left forward.
Athletico Madrid are also said to be monitoring the Garnacho situation, but they don’t appear to be as interested as other clubs, potentially because United’s No.17 left Athletico to join the Red Devils as a youngster.
Leverkusen’s interest appears to be coming from ten Hag, who was recently appointed as Xabi Alonso’s successor, but the German club could be priced out of a move if Florian Wirtz isn’t sold soon, with Liverpool appearing to be the front runners.
Arsenal are also said to be looking at Garnacho, but this could depend on whether they choose to move for Villa’s Morgan Rodgers, who is also subject to interest from Chelsea.
Garnacho sale represents worrying future
United have named an academy graduate in every first team matchday squad since October 1937, a record that won’t be seen at any other club in the Premier League.
However, this record could be coming into jeopardy next season with both Garnacho and Marcus Rashford almost certainly leaving United permanently, meaning Kobbie Mainoo would be one of the only academy graduates at the club.
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While the record won’t last forever, it is a key part of United’s history, and everything should be done to keep it alive. This could be why United are trying to agree a new deal for Tom Heaton after his contract expired.
Next season will also be the first since Sir Alex Ferguson retired that the Red Devils will not have a player who has won the Premier League at the club. David de Gea and Jonny Evans have kept the winning mentality alive in recent years.
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