Man United rejected Chelsea’s Lavia, Nkunku in Garnacho deal – sources
MANCHESTER, England – Manchester United rejected Chelsea’s proposal to include either Romeo Lavia or Christopher Nkunku in the transfer that sent Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge for an initial £40 million on Aug. 30, sources told ESPN.
United, who invested around £225 million in new arrivals during the summer window, opted for a straight cash deal despite acknowledging their need for midfield depth. According to sources, the club declined Lavia due to concerns over the Belgian midfielder’s injury record, which has limited him to just 31 appearances since joining Chelsea from Southampton in 2023.
Lavia, 20, has shown promise in his limited minutes, displaying strong ball-winning instincts and composure in possession. However, persistent muscle problems have kept him sidelined for over 75 matches across two seasons, and he has yet to complete a full 90 minutes for Chelsea. He is currently out with a quadriceps injury.
Nkunku, who was also proposed during negotiations, was ultimately not pursued by United before the French forward secured a move to AC Milan. The 26-year-old struggled to replicate his prolific RB Leipzig form in the Premier League, with injuries disrupting his rhythm throughout his time in London.
Garnacho, 21, departs Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order under head coach Ruben Amorim, who oversaw a major rebuild with the additions of forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, as well as goalkeeper Senne Lammens on deadline day.
The decision to prioritise a guaranteed fee over player exchanges underscores United’s focused approach to restructuring the squad and managing wage commitments. For Garnacho, the move to Chelsea presents an opportunity to secure a more prominent attacking role as the club continues its transition under new leadership.