Manchester United FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Alejandro Garnacho is set to join Chelsea from Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea are weighing up a late offer for Xavi Simons after finally agreeing a deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.
After weeks of talks, Chelsea have reached a compromise with the Red Devils to sign Garnacho in a deal worth £40m.
Manchester United were initially demanding £50m for the Argentina international, while Chelsea’s opening offer was believed to be worth half that amount.
The Premier League clubs have agreed to meet in the middle, with Garnacho now set to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge on Friday.
The plan then is for Garnacho, who has agreed a seven-year contract, to be unveiled to Chelsea supporters on Saturday ahead of the west London derby against Fulham.
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Manchester United included a 10 per cent sell-on clause as part of the package.
Garnacho, 21, will likely need some time to get up to speed as he has been training away from the Manchester United first team since the end of last season.
Netherlands v Malta - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier
Xavi Simons has held talks with Chelsea and Tottenham (Picture: Getty)
That is because Garnacho was placed in Ruben Amorim’s bomb squad back in May along with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Garnacho was once viewed as one of Manchester United’s brightest prospects but he has frustrated on and off the pitch.
His contributions fell away last season while he angered Amorim with comments he made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Despite being banished by Amorim, Garnacho was willing to spend another season at Old Trafford if his dream move to Chelsea fell through.
West Ham United v Chelsea - Premier League
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca (Picture: Getty)
Garnacho picked Stamford Bridge as his dream destination as he was determined to stay in the Premier League and play in the Champions League.
The winger, who takes Chelsea’s summer spending towards £300m, will leave Manchester United having made 144 appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals.
Garnacho will face substantial competition at Stamford Bridge from the likes of Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian.
He might not be Chelsea’s final summer signing, either, with the Blues now considering an offer for Netherlands international Simons.
Chelsea were believed to be the frontunners to sign Simons from RB Leipzig, having already agreed a deal with the Dutchman.
But Chelsea are waiting for outgoings before sanctioning a move for Simons, giving Tottenham a head start in transfer negotiations.
Spurs are close to agreeing a deal with Leipzig after submitting an offer worth £60m.
While Simons was pushing to join Chelsea, he is believed to be equally excited about a move to Spurs.
But while a move to north London is yet to be agreed Chelsea still have hope of winning the transfer race and the Blues will consider matching Tottenham’s offer now they have wrapped up a deal for Garnacho.
While Spurs are currently leading the race to sign Simons, they are believed to be wary of a late approach from Chelsea, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.
Chelsea are keen to sanction a number of outgoings before the summer transfer window closes on Monday.
The club are in talks to sell first-team regulars Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson and are keen to find new clubs for Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell.
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