Roma make contact to sign Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Chelsea was meant to reignite his career, and instead it has stalled almost entirely.

The Argentina international arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer as one of the more talked-about signings of the window, yet a year on he is drifting to the fringes of the squad.

However, Garnacho has managed just 24 Premier League appearances this season, registering a single goal and four assists.

That sits well short of the six goals and two assists he produced in 36 league games during his final United season, with his minutes only thinning as the year wore on.

However, his exit had at least handed United a landmark, with the £40 million fixed fee agreed in August marking their largest ever sale of an academy graduate.

It also stands as the fourth-biggest sale in the club’s history behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria.

Now, less than a year on, Alfredo Pedulla has reported that Roma have made contact over Alejandro Garnacho, asking Chelsea for information as they weigh a loan move.

AS Roma look to sign Alejandro Garnacho on loan

The Italian journalist explains that the enquiry is, for now, centred on a loan, with Gian Piero Gasperini wanting two wide specialists either side of Donyell Malen.

Alongside this, it’s understood that Garnacho has been offered to the Giallorossi through intermediaries, with Chelsea willing to sanction a temporary exit after a disappointing debut year.

Meanwhile, Roma’s need for reinforcements is sharpened by their return to the Champions League next season, having finished third and made Malen’s loan from Aston Villa permanent.

The Argentine is one of several wide options under consideration, with Mason Greenwood admired for the right flank and Matias Soule’s place no longer guaranteed.

For United, any permanent sale rather than a loan would carry its own significance, with the 10 per cent sell-on clause inserted last summer meaning The Red Devils would bank a share of any future move.

However, Roma’s interest sits at the enquiry stage, with Chelsea to decide whether a player they paid a premium for only a year ago fits their plans.