In a dramatic summer transfer saga, Manchester United rejected two significant player offers from Chelsea before eventually selling Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho to their Premier League rivals.
The Garnacho Departure
The transfer unfolded after Garnacho's relationship with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim completely broke down. The situation reached its breaking point when the 21-year-old publicly criticised Amorim following last season's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
This confrontation signalled the end of Garnacho's time at Old Trafford, placing him alongside Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony on the club's transfer list. After prolonged negotiations, Chelsea secured his signature on August 30 for a substantial £40 million fee.
Chelsea's Player Swap Proposals
According to ESPN reports, Chelsea attempted to reduce the cash outlay by offering players in exchange during negotiations. The Blues proposed both Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku to Manchester United as potential makeweights in the deal.
Neither proposal proved successful, with both players ultimately remaining at Stamford Bridge before Nkunku's subsequent move to AC Milan. Manchester United's decision to reject both players appears increasingly justified given their subsequent struggles.
Why United Rejected Romeo Lavia
Despite Manchester United's well-documented search for a new central midfielder, serious concerns about Lavia's fitness record prompted them to reject Chelsea's offer.
These concerns have proven entirely valid. The Belgian midfielder, who Chelsea signed from Southampton in 2023 for £53 million, has endured an injury-plagued stint in West London.
Lavia is yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Chelsea and is currently sidelined with a quadriceps injury, having previously suffered hamstring and thigh problems. Over two years, he has managed just 29 appearances for the Blues.
Nkunku's Struggles Continue in Italy
Christopher Nkunku also arrived at Chelsea with high expectations but failed to consistently deliver during his two seasons at the club. While his injury problems weren't as severe as Lavia's, the France international struggled to secure a regular starting position.
Nkunku scored 18 goals in 62 appearances for Chelsea, with only six of those coming in Premier League matches. His departure came in August when AC Milan secured his services for €42 million (£36 million).
The forward has experienced a slow start to his Italian career, managing just one goal in eight appearances across all competitions, with none in his first seven Serie A outings.
Manchester United's decision to insist on a straight cash deal for Garnacho, rather than accepting players with questionable fitness and form, appears increasingly astute as both rejected talents continue to struggle at their new clubs.
