Manchester United and Chelsea are exploring blockbuster moves that could see Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku switch clubs.
The potential transfers, driven by mutual interest, aim to reshape the attacking line-ups for both Premier League giants in the 2025 summer transfer window.
United have set a hefty 70 million pounds price tag on Garnacho, their 20-year-old Argentine winger, whose future at Old Trafford appears bleak following a public fallout with head coach Ruben Amorim.
The rift deepened after United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, where Garnacho played just 20 minutes as a substitute. “Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,” Garnacho said, voicing his frustration, as reported by BBC Sport.
Amorim, unimpressed by Garnacho’s attitude and inconsistent performances, has told the winger to find a new club. The young star’s recent antics, including posing in an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on it, have further strained relations with United fans and management. Posts on X have highlighted interest from Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, with Garnacho reportedly prioritizing a move within the Premier League.
Chelsea, keen to bolster their left-wing options, view Garnacho as a prime target. The Blues have tracked him since January, when United first signaled openness to a sale to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules. However, the high valuation has deterred other suitors, such as Bayer Leverkusen, where former United boss Erik ten Hag, a known admirer of Garnacho, deemed the price too steep.
Meanwhile, United have reignited their interest in Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku, a 27-year-old forward who has struggled for consistent minutes at Stamford Bridge due to injuries and competition. Despite scoring 14 goals last season, mostly in cup competitions, Nkunku has failed to secure a regular starting spot under Enzo Maresca.
United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, who worked with Nkunku at RB Leipzig, could play a pivotal role in facilitating a move.
While a direct swap deal is not imminent, both clubs are open to separate transfers that could see Garnacho head to London and Nkunku move to Manchester. “No club-to-club talks are taking place yet,” journalist Fabrizio Romano noted, tempering expectations of an immediate deal, but he acknowledged United’s long-standing interest in Nkunku and Chelsea’s admiration for Garnacho.
United’s attacking overhaul extends beyond Garnacho, with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony also facing uncertain futures. Real Betis are pushing to make Antony’s loan move permanent, while United have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are pursuing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo to bolster their frontline.
For Chelsea, Garnacho’s pace and flair could complement their stacked attacking roster, despite competition from players like Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer. However, United’s high asking price and the complexities of negotiating transfers involving agents and families could complicate matters.
As both clubs navigate these high-stakes moves, the potential transfers of Garnacho and Nkunku promise to be among the most intriguing stories of the 2025 transfer window, with fans eagerly awaiting developments.
