Chelsea Secure Signing of Alejandro Garnacho in £40 Million Move

Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United, with the Blues and the 21-year-old winger agreeing on a seven-year contract as part of a deal worth up to £40 million. Garnacho will now join a youthful Chelsea attack hoping to challenge the rest of the Premier League this term.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Londoners, guided by sporting director Chris Jones and head coach Enzo Maresca, concluded negotiations with United, with the total package including a £40 million fixed fee and a 10% sell-on clause for the Argentine’s former employers. It has been confirmed that Garnacho wants to join Chelsea and is determined to make the move, rejecting offers from elsewhere on the continent. After falling out of favour at United and being told to find a new club at the end of last season, Garnacho now arrives at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s ninth signing of the summer and could undergo his medical in the coming hours, with hopes of being in the matchday squad for a trip to Fulham on Saturday.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Garnacho joins a Chelsea side building around talented young players under Maresca, with the likes of new signings João Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, and Estêvão already in their attacking unit together with mainstays such as Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto. Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League last season, earning a spot in the Champions League, and Garnacho, who made 93 Premier League appearances with 16 goals and eight assists for United, will add pace and direction on the wing, as Chelsea looks to compete intensely this season.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA & GARNACHO?

The Argentine winger will sign his new contract on Friday and undergo a medical later in the day, with Chelsea aiming to send all the documents needed to have him available for Saturday’s game against Fulham. The Blues started the season brightly and are currently 4th in the table after two matches, two points behind leaders Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. Fulham, Chelsea’s next opponents, mid-table with two points from their previous two matches. Garnacho’s arrival adds to Maresca’s options in attack, with the winger now prepared to compete for minutes alongside fellow new faces and established players. Chelsea will hope his arrival provides a much-needed boost as they aim for that top-four finish again while staying in the race for the league title.