Alejandro Garnacho: Chelsea considering move for Manchester United winger before January transfer window closes

Ruben Amorim addressed Alejandro Garnacho's future with the Manchester United winger subject of continued interest from Chelsea in the January transfer window.

Garnacho played the full 90 minutes of Man Utd's late 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, and was one of their brightest performers as one of five changes from Sunday's miserable defeat by Brighton.

After the game, Amorim would not be drawn one way or the other on whether Garnacho will remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of this month, but praised his improvement since he dropped the winger for poor performance ahead of the Manchester derby just over a month ago.

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"He's playing for Manchester United," he said when asked whether he may have played his final game for the club. "He was really important for us today. Let's see in the next days.

"I think he's improving in every aspect of the game. He was better today playing inside and also outside, changing positions. He's improving the recovery position. You can see it.

"For the whole 90 minutes, he's always there recovering and helping. Sometimes showing some frustration is really good because he wants more."

Amorim also laid down a challenge for the 20-year-old to improve, adding: "I think he has potential to be so much better in every situation of the game.

"What I can say is that he understood what I was trying to do and was really clear. I just want to help him. In the end, it's the players who do the job."

Chelsea consider Garnacho move - but no bid made

Latest from Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol and Melissa Reddy:

Garnacho is a player Chelsea have been watching closely - and a move is possible during this window or in the summer.

Reports in Argentina claim Chelsea have made an official bid, but no offer had been made.

Chelsea would only proceed with a deal at the right price and on the right terms, however.

Relations between Chelsea and United are very good at the highest levels.

The Blues are looking at forward options with winger Mykhailo Mudryk provisionally suspended by the Football Association in December after failing a drugs test, while Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix could leave Stamford Bridge.

The door has opened for Chelsea given Napoli - who are also interested in Garnacho - have now turned their attentions to Karim Adeyemi at Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky in Italy and Sky in Germany.

Chelsea have been kept in the loop over Napoli's discussions with United for the Argentina international, in the event of there being an opportunity to muscle in on a potential deal.The Serie A club held meetings with Matt Hargreaves, United's director of football negotiations, in Italy this midweek to talk through a permanent transfer for the 20-year-old winger.

Sky in Italy revealed there was a drop from the initial asking price - a package in excess of £60m (€75m), with United now wanting no less than £55m (€65m).

Napoli do not want to exceed £46.5m (€55m) in total and Chelsea have been made aware of where matters stand.
Garnacho's agents Carlos Cambeiro and Quique De Lucas were in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Monday for the 3-1 victory over Wolves.

Chelsea's admiration of Garnacho has been well documented, but Napoli's interest has been judged as stronger due to their direct engagement with United.

There is a feeling that Chelsea are just biding their time. However, Napoli boss Antonio Conte believes the player, who is reluctant to leave Old Trafford and is not actively pushing for an exit, wants to work under him.

Aside from a golden chance to win Serie A and expressing to Garnacho how he would be adored by Napoli fans and love their atmosphere - as an Argentina international, there is also the allure of playing at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Chelsea though are encouraged that Garnacho's young family are settled in England and a move within this country would be less daunting.

United's preference, naturally, would be for him to thrive in Naples. Ultimately they will not sell the attacker well below his valuation.

Napoli are maintaining their offer - but have shown they will look elsewhere by exploring a deal for Dortmund's Adeyemi.

Napoli are in talks with Dortmund, according to both Sky in Germany and Sky in Italy, trying to find out more about how open he is to joining them and to then try and get closer to the conditions Dortmund might accept in order to sell him.

Sky in Germany are reporting that Dortmund are now more open to selling him and Napoli are willing to pay around £44m (€52.5m).

Direct contact between Conte and the player is also likely in the next hours, according to Sky in Italy.

However, the winger does not want to move in the winter, Sky in Germany are reporting.

Rashford's Barcelona hopes dwindle

Latest from Sky Sports News' senior reporter Melissa Reddy:

Marcus Rashford's hopes of joining Barcelona from Manchester United are receding by the day.

The Catalan club's sporting director, Deco, made it clear in midweek that their priority is the contract renewals of Pedri and Gavi, as well as Ronald Araujo and Gerard Martin, who extended their deals on Thursday.

Barca's wage bill will naturally increase due to those improved terms and they have been leaning on outgoings to create salary space before they can make a call on Rashford's affordability.

However, they are having issues trimming the squad - Eric Garcia has now decided against a permanent exit to Como and will remain at Camp Nou - an outcome that manager Hansi Flick wanted and pushed for.

Ansu Fati is reluctant to leave despite knowing he will have limited game time. There have yet to be strong offers for him either.

Barca would need to find solutions fast to accommodate Rashford on their books, and if they decide to pursue a move, it is anticipated that it will be opportunistic and late in this window.

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