‘Agreement is close’ - Man Utd edge towards £60m exit after talks over ex-Man City ace fail to materialise

Serie A title hopefuls Napoli are reportedly edging closer to a blockbuster deal to sign Manchester United playmaker Alejandro Garnacho in what could be one of the standout deals of the January transfer window.

The Italian giants, who finished 10th last term, have been reborn under the guidance of Antonio Conte, and currently sit top of the Serie A table ahead of the 55-year-old’s former club Inter Milan and Europa League holders Atalanta in the title race.

Conte has created a new-look Napoli despite the exit of leading scorer Victor Osimhen after his loan move to Galatasaray. However, the former Spurs boss faces his trickiest task yet as he aims to find a long-term successor to talismanic winger and fan favourite Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after his January move to Paris Saint Germain.

Reports in Italy claim Garnacho is the club’s number one target to replace Kvaratskhelia and claims Napoli will do everything they can to try and get the deal over the line this month. Napoli had an offer of around £40m rejected by United earlier in the window. Now, Corriere dello Sport reports the Serie A club are hoping to reach an agreement on a deal worth up to £50m.

The Red Devils, caught in the grip of Financial Fair Play challenges, want to capitalise as much as possible on the sale of an Academy product which would be a net profit on the balance sheet. Manchester World understands the Red Devils would only sell if they receive an offer in excess of £60m for the Argentine, who appeared as a second half substitute during last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton.

Will Alejandro Garnacho leave Manchester United this month?

Garnacho, like Marcus Rashford, faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford, in a transfer window which has so far been centred around departures rather than new arrivals. However, unlike Rashford, Garnacho has remained in and around the first team squad, despite struggling to command a starting spot.

Garnacho burst onto the scene two years ago, and at 20-years-of-age is still seen as a player with a high ceiling in terms of his overall potential. Reports from Italy claim Garnacho has accepted contract terms from Napoli which at this moment leaves United with a decision to make. Ruben Amorim faces key decisions on how to reshape a squad that he recently described as the worst in the club’s history.

Manchester United miss out on ex-Manchester City defender

United’s pursuit of Juventus captain Danilo appears to have fallen through, with the Brazil international instead favouring a move to Napoli.

The ex-Manchester City defender had been linked with a shock January switch back to England with the Old Trafford club but is now in advanced talks over a free transfer to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where he will help Conte’s side in their push to win a Scudetto for the second time in three seasons.