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There are “no club-to-club” talks taking place between Manchester United and Chelsea over a blockbuster swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku, Fabrizio Romano contends.
A report emerged yesterday revealing the two Premier League rivals were weighing up the move which would see Garnacho and Nkunku head in opposite directions as neither attacker expected to remain at their current club beyond the summer.
United are actively pushing to sell Garnacho after the 20-year-old winger’s public fallout with Ruben Amorim after a war of words at the Europa League final in May.
The Argentina international then stoked the flames of the dispute by posting a picture of him wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford – another player who clashed with Amorim and exited Old Trafford as a result – on the back.
Amorim has told Garnacho to find a new club this summer with the winger’s academy status meaning his potential sale would constitute ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective.
And with United seeking an extensive overhaul of their first-team squad, Garnacho’s exit is likely to be the most profitable one on offer this summer.
Which is why the prospect of a swap deal for a 27-year-old attacker who has failed to settle in England since his £52 million over from RB Leipzig two years ago was a difficult one to understand.
United hold a long-standing interest in Nkunku, having made advances to sign the Frenchman in January on loan.
Similarly, Chelsea are on the hunt for a right-footed left-winger this summer after reneging on a deal to sign Jadon Sancho – with Garnacho on their list of targets.
But Romano has poured cold water on the progress of a swap deal which appeared to heavily favour Chelsea at United’s expense.
“As of tonight, guys, I can tell you that concrete negotiations between Chelsea and Man United for Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku are still not taking place.
“My understanding is that the two clubs are fully aware of the situation, yes, but they’re not negotiating a swap deal at the moment. No club-to-club contact, also no personal terms agreed between any of the parties involved.”
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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