"I Don't Get It" - Gary Neville Bemused By Manchester United Transfer Decision Over Potential 'World-Class' Talent

Gary Neville isn't convinced on Manchester United's potential swap deal
Gary Neville isn't convinced on Manchester United's potential swap deal | Ian Forsyth/GettyImages

Manchester United remain active in the transfer market in the final few days of the winter transfer window. Speculation is growing over one of Old Trafford's rising stars who was seemingly untouchable last season.

Alejandro Garnacho's future is uncertain amid links to Napoli and Chelsea with United thought to be open to a sale if a suitable offer is made. Sky Sports claim United want £65 million for the Argentine winger, a fee Napoli were unwilling to meet and they have turned their focus to Borussia Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi.

Chelsea continue to weigh up a pursuit of Garnacho, 20, although no concrete approach has been made. One idea that has been floated about is a potential swap deal involving the Blues' Christopher Nkunku who has been on the outskirts of Enzo Maresca's first team.

Gary Neville: Swapping Garnacho For Nkunku 'Doesn't Feel Like A Move I Would Do'

Chelsea v Morecambe - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Christopher Nkunku has been injury prone at Chelsea | Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages

Nkunku, 27, has made just three of Chelsea's starting lineups in the Premier League this season and his spell at Stamford Bridge has been littered with constant injury issues. The Frenchman is an excellent talent but has failed to live up to expectations since joining the Blues from RB Leipzig for £52 million.

Gary Neville gave his thoughts on a potential swap deal involving Garnacho and Nkunku. The United icon doesn't think it's a good idea for the Red Devils. He told NBC Sports:

“I don’t get it for United. Nkunku’s hardly kicked a ball, he obviously had the injury when he first came in but he’s struggled to get going at Chelsea. I’m not saying Garnacho is the best player in the world and that he needs to stay at Manchester United. If they get good money for him then okay that might work.

He added:

"But to swap him for Nkunku, I have to say that doesn’t feel like I move I would do if I was Manchester United. I can see why you would do it if you were Chelsea.”

Garnacho has been a regular under Ruben Amorim since he was dropped by the Portuguese coach for a 2-1 win against Manchester City in mid-December. He has shown a desire to win over Erik ten Hag's replacement with improvement in his understanding of the system in place and less selfishness on the ball.

Manchester United must keep Garnacho if club doesn't receieve over £60m

Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho has won over Ruben Amorim | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

Garnacho hasn't pushed to leave Manchester United despite uncertainy growing over his future with the club. He's been with the Red Devils since July 2022 and rose through the youth ranks before establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting attackers.

Amorim has backed Garnacho, who Ten Hag suggested can become 'world-class' when asked about the situation and highlighted how talented he is. There's no way the club should entertain a swap with Nkunku or sell the player for less than at least £60 million, given today's market.

If an offer in excess of £60 million were received then INEOS would understandably be interested in a potential sale. This is because that fee is reportedly worth £180 million from a PSR perspective, allowing the club to spend that amount because Garnacho counts as a homegrown talent.