Alejandro Garnacho has broken his silence after reportedly turning down an offer to leave Manchester United.
The Argentina international is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford ever since his dressing down from Ruben Amorim, who effectively ended his United career when he told him, "You better pray that you can find a club to sign you" and dropped the winger from his final matchday squad against Aston Villa.
Garnacho has been training away from the rest of the group while efforts are made to resolve his situation and secure him a move away.
Much like Jadon Sancho, doing so has proved tricky and Garnacho is still on United's books heading into the final days of the summer transfer window.
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There have been plenty of interested parties, though, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Garnacho turned down a "new approach" from the Saudi Pro League.
Though the possibility of playing in the same league as his idol Cristiano Ronaldo while earning a substantial amount of money is appealing, Romano stressed that Garnacho is holding out for Chelsea and "all parties" expect the deal to go through.
Garnacho has remained silent on his situation throughout but on Tuesday, he posted a cryptic clue of sorts on his Instagram story.
The former Atletico Madrid youngster posted a picture of him in his car with his sun roof open, with his pinky finger raised.
Latest on Chelsea's pursuit of Garnacho
In a video for his YouTube channel, Romano added that "the feeling in the last 24-48 hours is on Alejandro Garnacho clearly going to Chelsea" and his camp remain "optimistic" of the desired transfer happening.
While negotiations are at very advanced stage, it appears as though there is still a bit of work to do between both clubs after making further contact.
According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, Chelsea want to pay a fixed fee of £35 million for Garnacho but United have an asking price of £50 million.
The Red Devils watched Chelsea get £52 million from Arsenal for Noni Madueke, as well as their former academy player Anthony Elanga join Newcastle from Nottingham Forest for £55 million.
Chelsea also have interest in RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons and Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez but need to shift more players, with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku leading candidates to leave before the transfer window closes.
Topics: Alejandro Garnacho, Chelsea, Manchester United
Josh Lawless