Man Utd stance on Garnacho transfer as Napoli line up £42m January transfer

Napoli are preparing a move for Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho ahead of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's departure from the club.

The Liverpool target, who appears bound for Paris Saint-Germain this month, told Antonio Conte that he wants to leave the Serie A side. The Italian revealed that he will not stand in his way.

"[Kvaratskhelia] asked the club to be sold," Conte said on Saturday. "I'm disappointed. It was a bolt from the blue. I don't want him to think I've chained him here... We're losing an important player."

Conte has already established the player he wants to replace the Napoli talisman however. And Garnacho could be available for sale.

It has emerged the 20-year-old is no longer deemed as untouchable, and United are willing to deal should an offer arrive at the right price. A bid worth €50million (£42m) could prove enough after Conte identified his preferred target and United set an asking price, per Sport Italia.

Garnacho has found starts difficult to come by under Ruben Amorim. The youngster has been named among the substitutes for the Red Devils' last five matches, in addition to being dropped from the squad for the win over Manchester City in December.

The winger would offer United the opportunity to rake in pure profit in profit and sustainability rules terms. Garnacho joined the club's academy as a 16-year-old from Atletico Madrid.

United boss Amorim has previously suggested he would like to retain the services of the likes of Garnacho and Kobbia Mainoo, whose future also appears in doubt. "I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones," he said.

"It's a special moment in this club, it's a hard moment, but, of course, I'm really happy with Kobbie, he's improving, and also with Garna. Our idea is always to keep the best players and the players that we build for this club.

"We know the position that the club is in at the moment, but we will see. I'm very happy, I like our players, especially the guys from our academy."

Paris Saint-Germain were said to be potential suitors for Garnacho having tracked his situation in recent months. The Ligue 1 side's interes has not advanced but it appears their move for Kvaratskhelia could trigger a transfer instead.

Despite the speculation, Amorim did name Garnacho in his starting lineup to face Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. The United boss included the Napoli target in a strong starting XI to face the Gunners.