Alejandro Garnacho’s wage demands were too high for Napoli. (Image: Getty)
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed that the club’s January pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho collapsed due to the demands of the winger. The Serie A giants joined as the frontrunners for Garnacho’s signature this winter after United opened the door for the transfer.
He was said to be valued at around £60million as part of the Red Devils’ efforts to raise funds to comply with PSR and FFP and boost ‘s budget.
However, United rejected Napoli’s only bid worth £40m, and didn’t transition their interest into a formal offer before Monday’s deadline.
Garnacho was open to leaving Old Trafford, though, and the situation could be revisited in the summer transfer window.
Napoli manager Antonio Conte reportedly held direct talks with the 20-year-old over a video call in an attempt to lure him over to Italy.
And Manna has poured fuel onto that particular fire by insisting that Napoli were very keen to sign Garnacho as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s replacement.
However, he claimed that the Argentine’s financial demands were the primary sticking point in the deal, rather than United’s asking price.
“We made an important bid to for Garnacho. We really wanted him,” Manna explained on Wednesday.
Napoli could return for Alejandro Garnacho. (Image: Getty)
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“We weren’t able to agree on personal terms with Alejandro. He requested an important salary to leave the in January, and we must respect our players.”
United supporters baulked at the prospect of losing Garnacho midway through the season, considering the attacking exits already sanctioned.
Marcus Rashford and Antony joined Aston Villa and Real Betis, respectively, on loan, leaving Amorim thin across his forward line.
Garnacho has been among United’s most productive players this season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in 36 appearances.
His limited role at the start of Amorim’s reign stirred uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Old Trafford.
However, Garnacho has pleased his head coach with his improvement in recent weeks, and he is primed to play a crucial role in the final few months of the campaign.
The No. 17 joins Amad, and Joshua Zirkzee as United’s only forwards after the January exits, which hasn’t filled fans with much confidence.
Amorim also uses , Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo in the three advanced positions in his 3-4-2-1 formation.
Regardless, whatever Garnacho contributes for the remainder of the season will undoubtedly be monitored by Napoli and other interested parties.