Manchester United Draws the Line on Garnacho: No Swap with Chelsea
Manchester United made it clear this week: they aren’t interested in letting Alejandro Garnacho go, and they certainly won’t accept a swap deal involving Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. This strong response came after reports surfaced that Chelsea wanted to tempt United with Jackson, who hit 13 goals last season, and even threw in Christopher Nkunku as part of the package. But the answer from Old Trafford was a straight-up no.
So, what’s putting Chelsea’s offers in the reject pile? For one thing, United has some real concerns about Jackson’s form. Sure, he found the net a good number of times last season, but the bigger worry is consistency—or lack of it. Jackson has flashed potential, but he’s had stretches where he faded out of games, and United’s scouting staff haven’t missed the multiple suspensions he picked up either. Bad discipline can be a nightmare in the Premier League, especially for a club that’s spent recent seasons cleaning up its own locker room culture.
All Eyes on Šeško as Chelsea’s Garnacho Hopes Fade
Instead of making a deal with Chelsea, United is devoting attention to their own top target: Benjamin Šeško. After looking at several strikers, including Villa’s Ollie Watkins, United’s recruitment team settled on Šeško as a better fit for the club’s future. Insiders have said United is keen on players who match their playing style and mentality, and Šeško ticks more boxes than Jackson right now.
But Chelsea hasn’t given up. Club reports say that even after the swap rejection, they’re still eager to bring Garnacho to Stamford Bridge. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea is poised to pursue Garnacho more aggressively as soon as details on personal terms are sorted. That said, United’s hard stance is throwing a real wrench into those plans.
The fallout matters not just for United and Chelsea, but for the wider top-four ambitions next season. Chelsea faces a crunch over what to do with Jackson and potentially Nkunku, as both could be heading for the exit—even if not as part of the Manchester United equation. Meanwhile, United isn’t backing off from its goals. With Garnacho seen as a vital part of the project, the club’s decision could signal a wider shift in the Premier League’s power dynamics, especially if Šeško comes on board and hits the ground running.
This saga is far from over. Expect more twists in the transfer window as both teams search for the right mix up front. But for now, Garnacho is staying put at Old Trafford, and Chelsea’s going to have to come up with something much better to even get United’s attention.
