Napoli boss Antonio Conte is hell-bent on landing Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho this summer, with the Serie A giants confident they’ll secure the 20-year-old winger “whatever the cost.”
It is understood that United’s £70m valuation is no deterrent, as Conte sees the Argentine as the perfect replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG for £59m in January.
Garnacho, once hailed as United’s brightest academy star, has struggled for consistency, managing just four goals and six assists in 31 games this season.
Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system hasn’t suited the winger, who’s been in and out of the starting XI, including missing Thursday’s 5-4 Europa League thriller against Lyon.
With United languishing in 14th—having scored a measly 38 goals in 32 Premier League games—Sir Jim Ratcliffe is open to cashing in on homegrown talents to boost PSR compliance after £900m in transfers since 2019.
“Now the time is ripe, and the Azzurri leader expects to have him available for next season, whatever the cost,” SportItalia reports, quoting Conte’s resolve.
Napoli’s transfer kitty is flush after Kvaratskhelia’s exit, and they’re eyeing a Champions League return, making Garnacho their top target.
United’s initial £50m price tag in January rose to £60m-£65m (€70m), but sources confirm Napoli are prepared to meet the higher £70m demand, outbidding Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
Bayer Leverkusen also admire Garnacho, but Conte’s promise of regular minutes in a 4-3-3, replacing Kvaratskhelia on the left, gives Napoli the edge.
United’s willingness to sell stems from financial pressures. Selling homegrown stars like Garnacho or Marcus Rashford—linked to a swap with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins—logs “pure profit” under PSR rules.
A Garnacho exit could fund moves for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen (€30m-€35m), Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio (£38.5m), or Lyon’s Rayan Cherki (£25m), all on Amorim’s radar.
“Napoli are serious—£70m for Garnacho is steep, but they’ve got the cash,” posted @mufcMPB, reflecting fan concern. @DeadlineDayLive added, “Conte’s obsessed with him.”
However, not all fans are sold. “Garnacho’s got Ronaldo’s mentality—don’t let him go!” tweeted @UtdDistrict.
Amorim, who praised Garnacho’s “professionalism” in January, isn’t pushing him out but won’t block a big offer.
Chelsea’s interest, potentially involving a swap with Pedro Neto, complicates matters, but Napoli’s direct approach—club-to-club talks began in January—puts them ahead.
Conte’s vision of Garnacho linking with Romelu Lukaku, cutting inside to shoot, mirrors Kvaratskhelia’s role, making the move a “dream” for the winger eyeing Cristiano Ronaldo’s path.
Napoli’s transfer plans don’t stop at Garnacho. With Osimhen set to leave permanently, they’re also eyeing United’s Rasmus Hojlund (£50m) as a Lukaku rival.
United face Wolves on Sunday, with the Manchester City derby next, but off-field noise around Garnacho’s future is growing louder. If Conte gets his man, it’ll be a bitter pill for United fans—but a major coup for Napoli.
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