Alejandro Garnacho’s Chelsea transfer terms have been fully agreed upon, with the 21-year-old Manchester United winger committing to a move to Stamford Bridge, as confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X on August 8, 2025.
The Argentine, who has prioritized Chelsea over other suitors, is now awaiting club-to-club negotiations to finalize a transfer fee, with United reportedly open to a deal around £40 million, down from their initial £70 million valuation.
Chelsea’s simultaneous pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons underscores their ambitious squad overhaul, as Enzo Maresca aims to bolster the attack for the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The agreement on Garnacho’s Chelsea transfer terms marks a significant step toward his departure from Old Trafford, where his relationship with manager Rúben Amorim has deteriorated. After a public fallout following his limited role in United’s Europa League final loss to Tottenham in May 2025, where he played just 20 minutes, Amorim excluded Garnacho from the first-team squad and U.S. pre-season tour, signaling his intent to offload the winger.
Garnacho’s frustration, voiced to reporters—“I played every round to help the team reach the final, and today I only got 20 minutes”—prompted Amorim to urge him to find a new club, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
His absence from United’s recent friendly against Real Betis, coupled with training alone at Carrington, has fueled speculation, with Chelsea emerging as his sole Premier League suitor.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Garnacho aligns with their aggressive transfer strategy, having already signed Jamie Gittens, João Pedro, Liam Delap, and Estevao Willian, while offloading players like Joao Felix and Lesley Ugochukwu.
The Blues view Garnacho, who scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 58 appearances last season, as a versatile addition to replace departing forwards like Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, who are linked with exits.
His preference for Chelsea, driven by their Champions League participation and Maresca’s attacking philosophy, was evident when he liked a Romano Instagram post about the deal.
Despite interest from Aston Villa, Napoli, and Al-Nassr, Garnacho’s focus on a top-six Premier League club makes Chelsea the ideal destination.
Negotiations over the transfer fee remain critical, with United initially valuing Garnacho at £55–70 million but now open to £30–40 million plus add-ons, as his homegrown status ensures pure profit under Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Chelsea’s cautious approach, prioritizing player sales to comply with UEFA financial restrictions after a £250 million summer spend, may delay a formal bid.
A potential swap deal involving Jackson was rejected by United, who admire the Senegalese striker but prefer cash to fund their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, per SportBible.
Garnacho’s 144 appearances and 26 goals for United, including a 2024 Puskás Award-winning overhead kick against Everton, highlight his potential, though concerns about his attitude linger.
The simultaneous chase for Xavi Simons, with whom Chelsea have also agreed personal terms, complicates their strategy, as Leipzig’s £60 million valuation for the Dutch playmaker strains their budget.
Simons’ versatility as a winger or No. 10 complements Garnacho’s direct style, potentially forming a dynamic attacking duo alongside Cole Palmer. However, Chelsea must offload players like Raheem Sterling or Mykhailo Mudryk, who faces a doping ban, to accommodate both signings.
Fans express excitement over the “blockbuster” double swoop, though some question Garnacho’s fit given Chelsea’s crowded forward line.
Garnacho’s desire to join Chelsea, despite his United academy roots, reflects his ambition for a fresh challenge under Maresca, who has praised his “personality” and “never-give-up” attitude, as echoed by Javier Saviola.
United’s shift to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, which favors wing-backs over traditional wingers, marginalized Garnacho, who thrived as a left-winger under Erik ten Hag.
The transfer’s success hinges on United securing replacements like Šeško, whose €76.5 million deal is nearly finalized. As the August 31 deadline looms, Chelsea’s ability to balance their squad and finances will determine whether Garnacho’s move becomes a reality, reshaping their attack for a Premier League title push.