15 January 2025 , 13:34
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Napoli have opened talks with Manchester United over a deal for Alejandro Garnacho but the Premier League club are demanding a £70 million transfer fee, according to reports in Italy.
Antonio Conte’s side are on the verge of selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a €70m (£59.1m) deal to Paris Saint-Germain and the Georgia international is set to undergo a medical with the French champions.
Napoli have identified Garnacho as a direct replacement for Kvaratskhelia and Sky Sports Italy report that initial talks over a potential transfer were held on Tuesday.
However, Napoli consider United’s £70m asking price too high and current Serie A leaders are considering alternative options which include Timo Werner, who is currently on loan at Tottenham from RB Leipzig but is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Napoli benefited from United’s reshuffle last summer as Scott McTominay has impressed since joining in a £21m deal.
Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to join PSG (Getty)
United, meanwhile, are understood to be open to selling Garnacho in order to ease their concerns over breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
The Argentina international has struggled to make an impact since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November and was dropped from the squad for United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last month.
Garnacho still has over three years remaining on his current contract with United and speaking last week, Amorim said that he is keen to keep the 20-year-old and Kobbie Mainoo, who has also been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, in his squad.
‘I really love my players. I want to keep my players, especially the talented ones,’ Amorim 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.’