Manchester United made a decisive move during the summer transfer window by rejecting Chelsea's proposal to include Romeo Lavia in the deal that saw Alejandro Garnacho move to Stamford Bridge for £40 million.
The Transfer That Almost Was
According to ESPN sources, Chelsea attempted to structure the Garnacho transfer differently by offering Belgian midfielder Lavia as part of the arrangement, which would have reduced the cash component of the deal. However, Manchester United officials turned down the 21-year-old midfielder despite acknowledging their need for reinforcement in that area of the pitch.
The Red Devils' decision reportedly stemmed from concerns about Lavia's physical condition and fitness record. This rejection came during August when United ultimately agreed to sell Garnacho for £40 million after the winger had fallen out of favour with manager Rubén Amorim.
Injury Woes and Midfield Reshuffle
United's concerns about Lavia's fitness appear justified in hindsight. The young midfielder's time at Chelsea has been plagued by persistent injury problems since his £58 million transfer from Southampton in summer 2023.
Lavia's statistics make for concerning reading: he hasn't completed 90 minutes in two and a half years and has missed an astonishing 88 matches due to injuries and fitness issues. His current quadriceps injury, sustained just four minutes into Chelsea's Champions League draw with Qarabag earlier this month, will keep him sidelined for approximately another month.
Despite signing a seven-year contract with Chelsea, Lavia managed only one appearance during his first campaign with the London club.
Garnacho's New Beginning at Chelsea
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho has been making gradual progress at his new club. The Argentine winger has already featured in 10 matches for Chelsea, accumulating approximately one-third of the total appearances Lavia has managed since joining the Blues.
While still working towards his best form, Garnacho has found the net on a couple of occasions and secured a starting position under manager Enzo Maresca. His most impressive performance came against Wolves, where he provided two of Chelsea's three goals - marking his first time registering two assists in a Premier League match.
Garnacho set up Malo Gusto for Chelsea's opener and Pedro Neto for their third goal, demonstrating positivity throughout the encounter and suggesting he could become a valuable acquisition for the West London club.
Bridge Burning at Old Trafford
The 21-year-old's departure from Manchester United wasn't amicable. Garnacho had been placed in Rubén Amorim's 'bomb squad' at United, training alone as his relationship with the club and its supporters deteriorated significantly.
"I think it was a difficult time there, training alone," Garnacho revealed during a TNT interview following Chelsea's victory over Benfica in September. "But I have nothing bad to say about my former club, Manchester United. There are just bad moments in life sometimes... I'm very happy to be here now."
His return to Old Trafford this season as an unused substitute during Chelsea's chaotic 2-1 defeat in September was met with hostility rather than welcome. United fans targeted Garnacho with chants during his warm-up and throughout the first half, echoing the same song previously directed at Carlos Tévez after his controversial 2009 move to Manchester City.
The chants clearly referred to Garnacho as "the dirty money-grabbing bastard" who "has no brain" and "won't win trophies again," indicating the depth of feeling among the Old Trafford faithful.
United's Midfield Solution
With Lavia rejected and Garnacho departed, Manchester United have adapted by repositioning Bruno Fernandes from his traditional number 10 role into central midfield alongside Casemiro. This tactical adjustment represents United's solution to their midfield requirements after passing on the opportunity to acquire Lavia.
The contrasting fortunes of both players since the transfer will undoubtedly provide ongoing discussion points for Premier League observers, particularly if Lavia's injury struggles continue while Garnacho establishes himself as a key figure at Stamford Bridge.
