Alejandro Garnacho did not report for Chelsea's pre-season training on Thursday as the club actively looks to sell the winger, with the 21-year-old's future at Stamford Bridge hanging in the balance after an underwhelming debut season.
Chelsea began training at Cobham without the Argentine, who joined from Manchester United for £40m on a seven-year contract last summer. He scored just one Premier League goal in 24 appearances — 10 as a substitute — and struggled for regular starts under Enzo Maresca and then Liam Rosenior.
“Alejandro Garnacho skipped Chelsea pre-season as the club seeks a permanent £43m sale after a poor season.”
The Blues value Garnacho at £43m (€50m) and will only entertain permanent offers, despite reported loan interest from Serie A club Roma. Talks are open and advancing with several parties, including Premier League, European and Saudi Arabian clubs. Manchester United are due 10% of any sale fee.
His potential exit is part of a wider reshaping of the squad under new manager Xabi Alonso, who has already overseen significant transfer activity. Chelsea have completed the signings of full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47m and winger Geovany Quenda from Sporting for £40m. Two major sales have also been made: left-back Marc Cucurella joined Real Madrid for £52m, and winger Tyrique George moved to Everton for a fee that could rise to £24m.
Further moves are expected, with Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix among the targets and Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria in talks to move to west London. Trevoh Chalobah's entourage is exploring moves to Italian clubs Inter Milan and Como as the club looks to trim a substantial number of outgoings.
Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and are preparing for a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia in the next fortnight — a trip Garnacho is unlikely to make.
