Alejandro Garnacho did not join Chelsea’s first full day of pre-season training on Thursday as the £40 million winger pressed for a summer transfer.
What happened at Cobham?
Xabi Alonso began his Chelsea tenure at Cobham on July 11, but Garnacho was absent from the pitches. The club granted him permission to stay away while he pursues a permanent move elsewhere. Chelsea leave for their pre-season tour of Australia on July 25, and the winger’s absence signals his desire to secure regular first-team football elsewhere.
Why Garnacho’s Chelsea stint has been a flop
Garnacho arrived from Manchester United in September 2022 for £40 million, but his first season in London fell short of expectations. He made just 14 Premier League starts and scored only one league goal in 24 appearances. Across all competitions, he managed eight goals, but his impact rarely matched the price tag. The Athletic reports his role often came as a substitute behind pricier recruits, leaving him surplus to requirements under Alonso.
Chelsea’s €50m valuation and who’s interested
Chelsea are open only to permanent offers and have set a €50 million (£42.5 million) asking price. That would yield a slight profit on the original fee. Multiple Premier League and European clubs are monitoring the situation, while the Saudi Pro League remains a potential destination. Manchester United also hold a 10% sell-on clause from the deal that took Garnacho to Chelsea.
Alonso’s squad overhaul gathers pace
Garnacho’s potential exit fits a broader rebuild under Alonso. Chelsea already sold Tyrique George to Everton for up to £24 million and loaned Jesse Derry to Sporting CP. Their biggest move so far saw Marc Cucurella leave for Real Madrid for €55 million. The funds are earmarked to strengthen a squad that finished 10th last season.