£35m Chelsea star rejected by Manchester United

Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Chelsea in the summer felt almost inevitable once his relationship with Ruben Amorim publicly unravelled.

The fallout after the Europa League final, combined with Chelsea’s long-standing interest from the winter of 2025, left the winger’s future clear, with a move to Stamford Bridge all but done.

Manchester United, navigating financial pressures under INEOS while reshaping the squad in Amorim’s image, knew a significant sale was almost unavoidable.

Talks with Chelsea reflected that reality, with United exploring different structures that could ease budget constraints and address problem areas within the team.

Throughout the winter and summer windows, Christopher Nkunku was repeatedly floated as a potential swap-deal, fuelling speculation over a dramatic player-swap.

Alongside this, other reports also described a player-swap deal with Tyrigue George being the one to potentially move to Old Trafford.

However, those ideas never progressed beyond rumour, with both clubs ultimately preferring cleaner lines between outgoing and incoming business.

Now, ESPN have reported that Chelsea also offered midfielder Romeo Lavia as part of the negotiations that took Garnacho to Stamford Bridge.

Despite United’s recruitment team acknowledging the need for midfield reinforcements, the club rejected the proposal and pushed for a straightforward cash deal instead.

The Daily Mail reported that the rejection centred on of Lavia’s fitness record, with concern over how injuries have already affected his Chelsea career.

At the time the deal was struck, data site Transfermarkt valued the Belgian at around £35 million, reflecting his potential rather than recent availability.

That valuation has since dipped to roughly £31 million, with Romeo Lavia limited to just seven appearances amid recurring physical setbacks.

Instead of gambling on his recovery, United sanctioned a £40 million sale for Garnacho, turning academy talent into a record graduate transfer fee.

It’s understood that this figure represents the highest fee the club have ever received for a homegrown player, providing vital relief against financial regulations.

To cover the midfield gap, Ruben Amorim has since shifted Bruno Fernandes deeper alongside Casemiro, rather than relying on an injury-prone arrival.

Ultimately, United’s refusal to accept Lavia as part of the Garnacho deal looks like a calculated decision, prioritising certainty over the potential of a discounted talent.