Alejandro Garnacho yet to return for Chelsea pre-season with transfer exit close

Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho is expected to leave the club and hasn't reported for pre-season duty

Alejandro Garnacho has not returned to pre-season training alongside his team-mates this week - with Chelsea expected to part ways with the winger this summer.

Garnacho, 22, did not feature in any of the club's photos shared from their first day back. And football.london understands that the former Manchester United player that. he is yet to report for pre-season duty, with talks ongoing over an exit.

The winger was on Argentina's preliminary list of 55 players for the World Cup, but ultimately did not make the cut and was not part of their pre-tournament preparations, either.

Garnacho has not featured for them since November 2024, before his £40million move to Chelsea from Manchester United last summer.

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football.london also understands that the club believe a deal to leave is close. The Argentine has a €50million (£42m) price tag, with keen interest from the Premier League, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

Chelsea are said to be prioritising a permanent exit for the player rather than a more temporary loan. There is apparently a demand for wingers this summer, which could make Garnacho a target for clubs.

Roma are interested in him. However, it has become clear from early negotiations that they only want the winger on loan initially, which Chelsea are not open to at this stage.

The player is also said to be keen on a switch to the Serie A side. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid, Como and Napoli have also been credited with an interest in the Argentine, while the Saudi Pro League is reportedly an option.

Garnacho was born in Madrid and left Atletico for Man United in 2020, having come through at Getafe. Therefore, a return to Spain after six years away could appeal.

United retain a 10% sell-on clause, which could come into effect sooner than anyone would have expected. It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be able to recoup what they spent, but Romano reports that they want £43million (€50m).

The winger scored eight goals and assisted another four in 34 appearances across all competitions during an underwhelming first season at Stamford Bridge. Just one of those strikes came in the Premier League.

Half of his goals came during three domestic cup ties against Cardiff City, Port Vale and Wrexham. Garnacho scored twice against Arsenal in the League Cup semi-finals in mid-January, but did not score against a Premier League club again.

He has now gone the best part of a year without being a regular starter. In addition to Garnacho's peripheral role at Chelsea, the winger was bombed out towards the end of his time at United.

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