A year after Chelsea spent £40million on Alejandro Garnacho, the winger is already being discussed as a possible sale rather than a fixed part of the plan. Chelsea are prepared to listen to permanent offers, and AS Roma and Napoli are both being linked as options. It is a quick turn for a player who arrived from Manchester United with clear expectations.
The move and the first season
The fee came with a 10% future sell-on clause for Manchester United, which makes any exit more complicated than a normal swap of clubs. Garnacho’s first season at Chelsea gave him volume, not certainty. He made 43 appearances and scored eight goals across all competitions, but only one of those goals came in the Premier League.
Starting just 14 Premier League matches tells the same story. He was involved often enough to be judged, but not often enough to lock down a role.
Chelsea did have a version of Garnacho that looked useful in a run to the Europa League final in 2024/25. He started every knockout game and provided three assists in those matches. Then came the final itself, where he was left on the bench and only played the final 20 minutes in the defeat to Tottenham.
Italy and Chelsea's stance
The Italian links make some sense from Chelsea's point of view. Both Roma and Napoli are being tracked as possible destinations, and Chelsea are said to want only a permanent transfer rather than a loan. That matters because it narrows the market and tells you how the club see the situation.
Roma finished third in Serie A, while Napoli finished second, so neither would be a low-level escape route. They are clubs with the standing to make a serious move, and that gives Garnacho a route away if Chelsea decide the fit is not strong enough to keep building around him.
The evidence so far points in the same direction. Garnacho has had enough minutes to show flashes, but not the kind of Premier League output that makes a club hesitate when bids arrive. Chelsea bought a young project winger, and one season later they are already treating him like a player they can move on.
FAQ
Why are Chelsea willing to consider offers for Alejandro Garnacho after one season?
Chelsea paid £40million for Garnacho last summer, but his first season has not given him much security. He made 43 appearances, scored eight goals in all competitions, and only one in the Premier League. Chelsea are prepared to listen to permanent offers rather than a loan.
Which clubs are linked with Alejandro Garnacho right now?
AS Roma and Napoli are both being linked as possible destinations. Chelsea are said to want only a permanent transfer, not a loan, so any move would need to satisfy that stance.
How did Alejandro Garnacho's best run for Chelsea compare with his final big moment for Manchester United?
He started every knockout game on the run to the Europa League final in 2024/25 and supplied three assists in those matches. But he was left on the bench for the final and only played the last 20 minutes in the defeat to Tottenham.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →