Chelsea’s chase for Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho has taken a dramatic turn, with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim declining to clarify the player’s future amid ongoing speculation.

The 20-year-old attacker has become a central figure in transfer rumors as the January window draws to a close. Reports suggest United may consider a lucrative sale of the academy graduate, a move that would provide a significant financial boost under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Chelsea, long linked with Garnacho, are reportedly stepping up their interest, having already shown an appetite for signing United’s young talents, including Kobbie Mainoo. Fresh reports emerged Thursday indicating the Blues are preparing a formal bid for the dynamic winger.

Garnacho delivered an electric performance in United’s dramatic Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday. Back in the starting XI, he was United’s most dangerous player during the first half and nearly scored in the second, hitting the post from close range.

Following United’s nail-biting 2-1 victory—secured by Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time volley—Amorim sidestepped questions about Garnacho’s future. Speaking to reporters after the match, he said, “I don’t know what will happen. Right now, we are focusing on the games. Until the window closes, anything is possible.”

The Portuguese manager highlighted Garnacho’s contributions and growth, adding, “He’s improving in all aspects—positioning, recovery, and his understanding of the game. He showed frustration at times, but that’s because he demands more of himself, which is a good sign. I think he can reach even greater levels.”

With back-to-back away games against Fulham in the Premier League and FCSB in the Europa League coming up, Garnacho might already have played his final match at Old Trafford. Amorim was non-committal when pressed on the possibility, reiterating, “He’s a Manchester United player, and today he was vital for us. Let’s see what happens in the coming days.”

United’s financial situation has added fuel to the speculation. The club is rumored to be considering sales to fund new signings, including talks with Serie A club Lecce over left-back Patrick Dorgu. Marcus Rashford’s continued absence from the matchday squad has further stoked rumors of his potential departure, while Tyrell Malacia, another name floated for a January exit, came on as a second-half substitute against Rangers after Leny Yoro sustained an injury.

As deadline day approaches, the question of whether Garnacho will remain at United or become Chelsea’s newest recruit hangs in the balance.

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.