Manchester United have rejected an approach from Napoli for winger Alejandro Garnacho, it has emerged.
The 20-year-old has been identified as Napoli's main target to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is on the verge of joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
The future of a number of unitedHomegrown players, including Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, have come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, with a handful of players now thought to be “untouchableWhile coach Ruben Amorim wants to reform his team.
The Portuguese coach took over as United manager in November, replacing the previously sacked Erik ten Hag, and he has been trying to implement the 3-4-3 system that saw great success at Sporting CP.
Performances have been up and down, with players struggling to adapt to playing with full-backs and a more organized press, and a Late hat-trick from emerging star Amad Diallo United were asked to topple Premier League bottom club Southampton 3-1 Thursday night.
BBC Sport report that Napoli's approach for Garnacho has been rejected by United, who despite being willing to listen to offers, are not actively looking to offload the Argentine. A fee of around £40m is understood to have been mooted, around £20m less than United's alleged valuation.
“That's clear. He has talent,” Amorim said of Garnacho ahead of the Southampton game. “I think he changed the way he sees himself. He's finding the best way to play in this system and he's getting better in practice.”
Garnacho played the full 90 minutes of United's win, suggesting he has Amorim's backing and has been a regular fixture in the team this season ahead of Rashford, who is more likely to leave Old Trafford after falling out of favour.
AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are the main contenders to sign the 27-year-old – the former interested in a loan while the Bundesliga giants could agree a permanent deal – while there is domestic loan interest from Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
It is unclear where Rashford, who earns £325,000-a-week under his United contract which runs until 2028, will end up, although it is thought he The 'dream' move would be to Barcelona – they have also been connected despite severe financial problems.