Tottenham and Chelsea delivered £65m transfer blow by ex manager as Man Utd 'talks' confirmed

Napoli are 'in talks' with Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho over a January transfer move that would come as a blow to both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 20-year-old's future has become a hot topic this month as he struggles for minutes under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. The Blues and Spurs had both been linked with a swoop for the talented forward but it appears that on Tuesday Napoli have emerged as frontrunners.

Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla took to social media platform X on Tuesday afternoon to claim that talks between Napoli and Manchester United were underway to reach a 'solution' that would satisfy both clubs.

Napoli ahead of Chelsea and Spurs in Man Utd transfer race

Corriere dello Sport are also on the story and claim that Napoli have submitted a €50 million bid, around £42 million, to Old Trafford. It adds that Garnacho has already spoken with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who is now in charge of Napoli.

Garnacho has started just one Premier League match since mid December and had been subject to criticism from Amorim. The Red Devils boss said: “That is clear, he has talent.

“He needs to learn to play a little bit in a different position. He needs to play better inside. He improved a lot in the recovering position, when he doesn’t have the ball, but, doing that, sometimes he’s not in the right place to make transitions, like he was in the past, because I prefer to defend and then build up with all the team to make the final third.

“So he’s finding the best way to play in this system. He’s improving, during training. So he started the last game [at the Emirates Stadium], let’s see tomorrow.”

CaughtOffside had claimed that Tottenham Hotspur had 'joined the race' for Garnacho earlier this month, who had already been billed as a 'top target' for Napoli. That report added that Manchester United would prefer to send the player abroad rather than strengthen a Premier League rival and that the player was valued at around £65 million.

Garnacho agent present at Stamford Bridge on Monday

Chelsea are another side linked with interest in the player. Garnacho's agent was in the stands at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as Enzo Maresca's side beat Wolves 3-1.

In an update on the player's situation on Monday, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano said: “Alejandro Garnacho situation remains open, doors are not closed ahead of final two weeks. Napoli keep pushing with Antonio Conte who had direct call with Garnacho on Friday. Chelsea made direct contact with Man United to ask for conditions, with more talks expected soon.”

Garnacho is a product of the Red Devils youth academy, having made the move to the UK to continue his football schooling from Atletico Madrid in 2020. The Red Devils paid a £420,000 fee to sign the exciting prospect at that stage of his career.

The winger has gone on to make 118 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals and picking up 14 assists. He has eight goals and five assists in all competitions this term but the majority of those have come away from league action.