Manchester United have rejected a bid from Napoli for winger Alejandro Garnach, it has emerged.
The 20-year-old has been identified as Napoli’s top target to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is at his peak joined Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Array futures UnitedHomegrown players including Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, with several players now considered ‘untouchable‘ while head coach Ruben Amorim wants to reshape his team.
The Portuguese coach took over as United manager in November, replacing the previously sacked Erik ten Hag, and has attempted to implement the 3-4-3 system he enjoyed great success with at Sporting CP.
The effect was up and down, with players struggling to adapt to playing with full-backs and a more organized press, and a late hat-trick from rising star Amado Diallo was needed by United to topple Southampton, the Premier League’s bottom club, 3-1 Thursday night.
BBC Sport report that Napoli’s approach to Garnach has been rebuffed by United, who despite being willing to listen to offers, are unwilling to actively offload the Argentine. A fee of around £40m is understood to have been discussed, around £20m less than United’s alleged valuation.
“That’s clear. He has talent,” Amorim said of Garnach before the Southampton game. “I think he’s changed the way he sees himself. He’s finding the best way to play in this system and improve during practice.”
Garnacho played the full 90 minutes in United’s win, suggesting he has Amor’s backing, and has been a regular in the squad this season ahead of Rashford, who looks most likely to leave Old Trafford after falling out of favour.
AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are the leading candidates for signing the 27-year-old – the first interested in a loan, doc The Bundesliga giants could sign a permanent deal – while there is domestic loan interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
It is unclear where Rashford, who earns £325,000-a-week under his United contract which runs until 2028, will end up although his “from dreams” would be to move to Barcelona – are also connected despite severe financial problems.
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