Chelsea are still reportedly targeting Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho despite their pursuit of Xavi Simons. The Blues are expected to sign the RB Leipzig forward, with the Bundesliga club said to want a fee in the region of £60million.
Simons, 22, scored 11 times last season and is adept in central midfield and on the wing. Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap have already arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer as Enzo Maresca continues to overhaul his attack. However, even if Simons does join, it seems the Italian won’t be done there.
According to the Telegraph, Chelsea will not shut the door on a move for Garnacho once the Simons deal is completed. The 21-year-old looks certain to leave United after falling out with Ruben Amorim, although the Portuguese boss has insisted he won’t be sold unless the club’s valuation is met.
Garnacho hit out on social media after being left out of the starting XI for the Europa League final against Tottenham. He began this month training separately from the first-team squad after players reported back at Carrington for pre-season and did not join the tour of the United States.
Maresca is said to want Garnacho to compete for a place on the left wing, given that Simons can play centrally. He’ll face competition from Gittens, who signed in a £48.5m deal from Borussia Dortmund.
Ahead of his side’s friendly with West Ham on Saturday, Amorim did hint that the door was open for the Argentine international to return to the fold and fight for his place.
“Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams,” he said. “We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide.
“If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players. I’m ready to receive the players.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk