Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho is reportedly favoring a move to Chelsea over Napoli, according to sources in Argentina.

Napoli recently had a bid for Garnacho turned down, with United initially setting a steep £70 million price tag for the 20-year-old talent. However, Chelsea has also entered the race, with the player’s agents spotted at Stamford Bridge on Monday night during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Wolves, sparking further speculation.

Discussions between Manchester United and Napoli continued on Tuesday, with Italian outlets reporting that United has now lowered Garnacho’s asking price to €65 million (£54.8 million). Despite Napoli’s continued interest, reports from TyC Sports suggest Garnacho prefers to stay in the Premier League, though Chelsea has yet to formalize an official bid.

The Argentine winger has not yet made a final decision about his future. His next steps will largely depend on whether Chelsea decides to act on their interest before the January transfer window closes.

Chelsea is also evaluating other options to bolster their attacking lineup. They have shown interest in Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, but the German club remains firm in their stance not to sell the 19-year-old, who has only logged 332 minutes across all competitions this season. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens is another potential target, but Chelsea faces competition from Bayern Munich. Dortmund is also in a strong position to negotiate, as Gittens is under contract until 2028.

Meanwhile, Manchester United has its sights set on strengthening their squad. On Tuesday, the club held discussions with Lecce over their 20-year-old left-back Patrick Dorgu. United’s initial proposal of €30 million (£25.3 million), with an additional €5 million (£4.2 million) in potential bonuses, was turned down by Lecce. The Italian side prefers to retain Dorgu until the season’s end.

Napoli has also expressed interest in Dorgu, reportedly considering a deal that would allow the Denmark international to stay on loan at Lecce for the remainder of the campaign.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed little surprise at Liam Delap’s standout performance after the Ipswich Town striker played a pivotal role in his team’s 2-0 victory over the Blues on Monday night.

Delap opened the scoring at Portman Road with a composed penalty, before Omari Hutchinson sealed the win with a goal early in the second half, marking a historic triumph for Ipswich against Chelsea.

Maresca, who previously worked with Delap during his coaching stint at Manchester City, acknowledged the young striker’s talent when asked about his display. “This is Liam,” Maresca said. “I’ve known him for a while now. Perhaps we could have defended better in certain moments, but credit to him and to Ipswich for their performance.”

Delap, now 21, has been enjoying a breakout season in the Premier League, with Monday’s goal taking his tally to seven for the campaign. Chelsea have reportedly shown interest in signing the forward, and Maresca was full of praise for his former protégé both before and after the game.

“Liam is an exceptional player, especially for his age,” Maresca said. “When I worked with him, he scored over 20 goals in a season. He’s a great striker who understands the game, works hard both on and off the ball, and knows how to find the back of the net. I genuinely believe he has the potential to become an important player for England in the future.”

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna also commended Delap’s performance, emphasizing the striker’s rapid development. “Liam keeps improving at an incredible rate,” McKenna said. “He’s a joy to watch, and his unique style sets him apart. Facing top-tier Premier League defenders every week, he continues to rise to the challenge.”

McKenna added, “Tonight, Liam was outstanding, but he wasn’t alone. It was a fantastic team effort, and his contributions were vital.”

Reflecting on the match, Maresca lamented Chelsea’s inability to capitalize on their opportunities. “It was a strange game,” he admitted. “In the first half and the opening minutes of the second, we created multiple chances—Joao [Felix] had a header, and there was another clear opportunity—but we just couldn’t convert.”

He continued, “The second goal from Ipswich was a turning point. Sometimes, when you create so many chances but hit the post, have shots blocked, or see saves from the keeper, it feels like it just isn’t your night. Credit to Ipswich, though—their defensive effort and determination were exceptional.”

The defeat marked Ipswich’s first victory over Chelsea since 1993 and delivered another setback for Maresca’s side in what has been an unpredictable season.

Marc Cucurella has broken his silence after being sent off in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against Brentford on Sunday. The Spanish defender received a second yellow card after the final whistle, resulting in a red card that will see him miss Chelsea’s next Premier League match against Everton.

Earlier in the game, Cucurella had played a pivotal role, scoring a precise header to give the Blues the lead in the first half. Despite his dismissal, Chelsea’s win kept them within two points of league leaders Liverpool, highlighting the importance of Cucurella’s contributions this season.

Following the match, Cucurella took to Instagram to share a brief but positive message. Posting a photo of himself celebrating his goal, the left-back wrote: “Good win at home to finish off the week! We go again.”

The suspension means Cucurella will miss the clash with Everton but will return for Chelsea’s Boxing Day fixture against Fulham.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was asked about the incident in his post-match interview but admitted he didn’t witness it firsthand.

“When the final whistle blew, I was celebrating with my staff, so I didn’t see what happened,” Maresca said.

The Italian manager praised Cucurella’s performance, describing it as exceptional. “Marc was fantastic both on and off the ball. Along with the other 10 players, he gave a top performance. We’re very pleased with his contribution tonight.”

When questioned about potential discipline issues within the squad, Maresca dismissed the idea but acknowledged room for improvement in game management.

“No, I don’t think there’s a discipline problem,” he said. “I’ve said before, there are things we can improve—how we attack, how we defend, and how we handle certain moments.

“The second yellow card, perhaps, wasn’t the right decision or action, but these are situations we can learn from. Overall, the team’s spirit is excellent, and these moments are part of football.”

Cucurella’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, as the former Brighton & Hove Albion player has been one of Chelsea’s standout performers this season. His strong form has been crucial in maintaining the team’s title push, and fans will be eager to see him back in action when his suspension ends.