Manchester United forward close to agreeing a deal with Chelsea after shock EFL Cup exit

Manchester United are staring at the harsh reality of a rumoured £40 million move that would see the club lose one of their most promising young attackers, with the possibility of more departures looming. 

After being knocked out in a 26-goal penalty shootout by League Two Grimsby Town, in their first meeting since 1948, Manchester United find themselves in an even more dire situation. 

Last season, United failed to climb out of the bottom half of the Premier League table. While the club did manage to reach the Europa League final, they ultimately fumbled against Tottenham, leaving fans with little to celebrate. 

Now, at the end of the summer window, the club is yet to offload their ‘unwanted five’ players marked to be sold to raise summer funds. One of those names is now advancing in talks with Chelsea. 

Garnacho nears Stamford Bridge switch 

Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as the forward in question. The 21-year-old winger, long linked with a move away, is now understood to be close to agreeing terms with Chelsea.  

Negotiations are progressing around a fee in the region of £35–40 million according to Sky Sports, with United under pressure to cash in. 

For Garnacho, the prospect of regular minutes in West London and a clear role in Chelsea’s youth-driven rebuild makes the move an attractive one.  

He would be competing with the likes of Estevão Willian, Liam Delap, and other young forwards for a starting role in a rebuilt Chelsea front-line.  

The forward, once considered central to United’s attacking future, Garnacho has grown frustrated under new boss Rúben Amorim.  

Left out of pre-season fixtures and absent from early Premier League squads, his exclusion has only fuelled speculation of an imminent exit, and he is not the only player pushing for a late move away from Old Trafford. 

Kobbie Mainoo among players linked to Manchester United's youth exodus 

Manchester United academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has become another name at the centre of exit rumours.  

The 20-year-old midfielder has found game time limited under Rúben Amorim and has been notably absent from the Premier League squads this season.  

Mainoo remains available for a move before Monday’s deadline, with interest, according to The Guardian, coming from at least ten clubs and growing rumours of a loan deal with Everton.  

Another once key player, Rasmus Højlund, is also edging toward the exit. The Danish international is currently in talks with Napoli over a potential loan move with a buy clause included, as the Serie A side look to strengthen their attack before the window shuts. 

Højlund has made it clear that Naples is his preferred destination, despite attracting interest from clubs in both England and Germany.  

For United, sanctioning the deal would mark a sharp fall from the high expectations set when he arrived as a 'star boy’ signing just over a year ago.