Chelsea strike deal with Man United to sign Alejandro Garnacho

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Manchester United for the transfer of Alejandro Garnacho. The deal involves a fixed fee of £40 million and includes a 10% sell-on clause. Garnacho is expected to sign a contract until 2032 and is scheduled to undergo a medical examination on Friday in preparation for the move.

Reports from The Athletic on August 7 revealed that Chelsea intensified discussions with Manchester United regarding Garnacho's transfer after ongoing communication between the clubs about the winger. The 21-year-old had limited his options for this summer to either joining Chelsea or remaining at United.

Garnacho, who joined United's academy from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, has made 144 senior appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals. The player's move to Chelsea has been anticipated throughout the summer, with his preference for a transfer to London and Stamford Bridge being known since the end of the previous season. This desire, along with a directive from United's head coach Ruben Amorim for Garnacho to seek a new club, influenced the negotiations.

The transfer fee for Garnacho settled at £40 million, making it the largest sale of a United academy graduate and the fourth largest in the club's history after Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, and Angel Di Maria. Despite the significant transfer amount, some fans may perceive it as undervaluing the player. Garnacho's departure from United is notable for his contributions to the team, including winning the FA Youth Cup in 2022 and scoring crucial goals in matches such as the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in 2024. His exit from the club reflects a realization that his future at United was limited under Amorim's management.