As the summer transfer window heats up, Manchester United are trying to reshuffle their squad—but a potential swap deal with Chelsea is hitting a major roadblock due to a significant mismatch in how the two clubs value their players.
Garnacho’s Future in Doubt After Europa League Fallout
Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Old Trafford has been up in the air since May.
After being benched for the Europa League final, the Argentine winger reportedly fell out with manager Ruben Amorim, who then told him to start looking for a new club.
Garnacho was added to United’s so-called “bomb squad”—a group of players the club is actively trying to sell this summer.
United Looking to Offload Several Players
Garnacho isn’t alone. United are also hoping to move on from Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia in a bid to free up funds and space for new arrivals. The main goal? Signing a proven striker.
Striker Search Narrowed Down, but Options Are Costly
According to recent reports, United have narrowed their striker shortlist to two realistic options—Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Other big names like Alexander Isak and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson have been ruled out due to their steep price tags.
Chelsea Still Interested in Garnacho, But There’s a Catch
Despite that, talks of a swap deal involving Garnacho and Jackson have surfaced, with Chelsea still reportedly keen on the 21-year-old Argentine. However, the deal isn’t straightforward.
The biggest issue? Chelsea’s valuation of Jackson is sky-high—around £80 million.
In contrast, they reportedly only see Garnacho as being worth £50 million, creating a £30 million gap that United would need to fill if the swap were to happen.
Jackson’s Impressive Record and Long-Term Contract
Nicolas Jackson has been solid since arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
The Senegalese striker has netted 30 goals in 81 games for the Blues, including 24 in the Premier League.
He’s locked into a long-term deal until 2033, but he’s also about to face more competition after the summer arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Garnacho’s Price Keeps Dropping
Meanwhile, Garnacho’s market value appears to be slipping. United currently rate him at around £40 million—a sharp decline from the £70 million valuation they reportedly placed on him in January when Napoli came calling.
If United manage to sell him, it would count as pure profit under financial fair play rules, since he’s a product of their academy.
Could Garnacho Still Stay at Old Trafford?
Interestingly, despite his earlier fallout with Amorim, there may still be a path back into the squad for Garnacho.
The United boss has recently softened his stance, suggesting that if no suitable offers come in, some players from the bomb squad could be reintegrated into the team.
What Happens Next?
For now, any talk of a Jackson-Garnacho swap looks unlikely unless one side adjusts their price expectations—or United finds another way to sweeten the deal.
As the transfer window clock ticks, both clubs may be forced to compromise if they want to make their moves happen.