Chelsea hatch Garnacho transfer plan - but have back-up option in Liverpool blow

Chelsea have launched a push to sign Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho.

Garnacho appears to be free to leave Old Trafford, though the Red Devils did reject a £40million bid for the winger from Napoli earlier this week. He has struggled to make an impact since Ruben Amorim's arrival as manager.

The Argentine made only his first start in eight games in the FA Cup win over Arsenal at the weekend. He did then play all 90 minutes as United secured a comeback win over rock bottom Southampton on Thursday night.

But with United needing to raise funds if they are to bring in new recruits for Amorim, Garnacho's future still appears to be in doubt. That has alerted Chelsea, who are keen to boost Enzo Maresca's attacking options.

According to The Athletic, the Blues have 'made enquiries' about Garnacho. Chelsea recruitment chiefs have a number of candidates on their list of targets, with talks at any early stage.

Garnacho does though fit the profile of player the Blues are looking to sign this month. His contract at United still has another three years to run though and United are standing firm on a £60m valuation.

With that in mind, Chelsea are also monitoring Karim Adeyemi, according to L'Equipe. Napoli are also interested in the Borussia Dortmund star, who they believe can be the replacement for Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia.

The Georgian international had been a top target for Liverpool, but it now looks like he will be moving to PSG instead. The Serie A side have made an opening verbal offer for Adeyemi, following United's rejection of their bid for Garnacho.

While Garnacho has impressed since breaking through at United, the decision to potentially let him leave has been backed by club legend Paul Scholes. He told TNT Sports: "I can see it with Garnacho. I think United can get better than Garnacho.

"Although he's a young player and there's better to come, he's a little scruffy and his decision-making at times is really poor. Garnacho, I wouldn't be afraid or worried if they sold, Mainoo I'd be offended by that."

Amorim is thought is reluctant to see some of the club's brightest young talent depart, though club bosses have taken the stance that everybody has a price. The United chief has called on Garnacho to improve his performances.

"That is clear, he has talent. He needs to learn to play a little bit in a different position. He needs to play better inside. He improved a lot in the recovering position, when he doesn't have the ball," Amorim said recently.

"But, doing that, sometimes he's not in the right place to make transitions, like he was in the past, because I prefer to defend and then build up with all the team to make the final third. So he's finding the best way to play in this system. He's improving, during training."