CHELSEA’S pursuit of Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho has been stalled by the West London club’s steep valuation of Christopher Nkunku.
The Blues have rejected a loan bid from Bayern Munich for Nkunku, 27, preferring a £50million sale to raise the funds to buy Garnacho for the same price.
United are braced for an offer from Stamford Bridge chiefs for the Argentina international, but are determined not to let the young winger leave on the cheap.
The Red Devils want at least £50m for the 21-year-old winger.
It’s understood that Garnacho only wants Chelsea, which is the main reason why he is still at Carrington nearly three months after boss Ruben Amorim told him to find a new club.
The relationship between the two sides has completely broken down and on Sunday a mural of Garnacho close to Old Trafford was defaced by fans.
As an academy graduate, the money raised will have a huge impact on United’s Profit and Sustainability checks as his sale will be marked as pure profit.
But, the negotiations – which must be completed before the close of the summer window in 14 days time – will be a major test for United chiefs.
The Red Devils know Chelsea will attempt to drive the price down for Garnacho, who has been training alone with the ‘Bomb Squad’ after being iced out.
Insiders at Old Trafford note the Blues’ reluctance to sell one of their unwanted forwards Nkunku for less than £50m.
Nkunku’s hefty price tag is guiding Chelsea’s moves for Garnacho and RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.
Garnacho’s exit would open the door for United to bag a new goalkeeper with Andre Onana and second stopper Altay Bayindir not up to scratch.
Bayindir deputised for the injured Onana for United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
The Turk, 27, was at fault for the goal after he flapped at Declan Rice’s inswinging corner, which was headed in by Riccardo Calafiori in the 13th minute.
SunSport exclusively revealed that United have made discreet checks over a remarkable return for club legend David de Gea from Fiorentina.
Amorim’s side were tipped off that the Spaniard, 34, has a clause in his deal at Fiorentina — allowing him to leave for a relatively small sum.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has also been linked with both United and Manchester City after being relegated to No.2 at Paris Saint-Germain with one year left on his deal.
Italy stopper Donnarumma, 26, is set to demand a bumper 50 per cent rise on his current £210,000 per week salary.
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