Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has reached an agreement with Napoli over a potential January transfer, according to reports in Italy.
The 20-year-old’s future at Old Trafford has descended into uncertainty this month amid rising concerns about United’s compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Garnacho has continued his development during a second consecutive testing season for the Red Devils, already making 30 appearances in all competitions.
He is the club’s top scorer this season with eight goals but has had to settle for a role as an impact substitute since Ruben Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag.
Garnacho’s reduced status, with Amad leapfrogging the Argentine in the pecking order, has reportedly left him frustrated after enjoying such prominence under Ten Hag’s watch.
And it’s claimed that the United No. 17 has given the green light to a Serie A switch before the winter transfer deadline.
According to Calciomercato, Napoli have struck an agreement in principle with Garnacho after the club’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, met his representatives in Barcelona this week.
Garnacho’s camp is said to have immediately made it clear that he is tempted by the prospect of working with Antonio Conte in Naples.
The report adds that the agreement involves a five-year contract worth around £2.5million per year after tax, a slight decrease on the £2.6m he current pockets at United.
Garnacho’s salary would reportedly gradually increase over the course of his stay at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli are on the hunt for a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth around £59m.
Scott McTominay would be waiting for Garnacho in Naples after United sanctioned a £26m switch to fund a move for Manuel Ugarte in the summer.
However, Garnacho’s departure remains unlikely for now, with Italian reports also stating that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is reluctant to bid higher than £42m – not near United’s valuation.
The Old Trafford are said to have launched their efforts to bolster Ruben Amorim’s attack with or without Garnacho as part of them, though.
RMC Sport claim that United have joined Arsenal and Tottenham as three Premier League clubs that may pursue Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo in the next two weeks.
The heavyweight trio have reportedly done their research on the red-hot 25-year-old and are weighing up an imminent chase.
Mbeumo – valued at £42m on transfermarkt but likely to cost more – is enjoying a sublime season and would fit in as the central striker or one of the inside forwards in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.
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