​Roma is prepared to press Chelsea for Alejandro Garnacho, a talented youngster who is close friends with Paulo Dybala, as talks about his future intensify. Reports are split on whether Garnacho’s move would be a loan or a permanent transfer, with several outlets indicating that Chelsea are open to offloading him but differ on the exact terms.
Garnacho’s trajectory has drawn renewed attention after a near-miss with Napoli last year. The Argentina winger, who joined Chelsea from Manchester United for €46.2 million, had hoped to make a stronger impact in English football. He showed flashes but his time at Stamford Bridge has been uneven, recording eight goals and four assists in 43 competitive appearances, only 22 of which were starts. The dip in consistent playing time has fueled speculation that the club may be willing to move him on this summer.
Chelsea are said to have placed Garnacho on the market, with several insiders confirming that he does not feature in the club’s longer-term plans. The sticking point, however, is the method of his departure. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea would only consider selling Garnacho on a permanent basis, ruling out a loan with an option to buy. Those terms would align with Chelsea’s current stance on the player and reflect the need to recoup a substantial portion of their investment.
Roma, meanwhile, are weighing their options. Romano’s counterpart from Sportitalia, Alfredo Pedullà, presents a contrasting view: Roma would be prepared to allocate the €40 million originally earmarked for Olympique Marseille winger Mason Greenwood toward Garnacho’s purchase instead. That pivot could enable a direct transfer, should Roma manage to secure the funds and the deal meets the player’s market value.
Garnacho, who turned 22 just last week, remains on Napoli’s radar as well, though their financial constraints would likely prevent a permanent acquisition. That leaves Roma with a potential edge, particularly if Pedullà’s assessment holds true: Garnacho’s personal connection to Paulo Dybala could be a pivotal factor. Dybala, who recently agreed to a new contract at the Stadio Olimpico, shares a strong bond with Garnacho, a dynamic that could influence Garnacho’s next move in Italy.
The compatibility of Garnacho with Roma’s project could be enhanced by Dybala’s presence and leadership, as well as the club’s willingness to explore creative financing to land a high-potential talent. If Roma can leverage Garnacho’s friendship with Dybala and align with his preferred terms, they could mount a competitive challenge to Chelsea’s position in the transfer race.
As the summer window unfolds, all parties will be watching Garnacho’s next step closely. Chelsea’s rigidity on a permanent sale, Roma’s willingness to repurpose funds toward a direct purchase, and Garnacho’s own career ambitions will all influence whether the winger lands back in Serie A or remains on the English side of the Channel. With Garnacho still just 22 and showing flashes of his best form, the market remains open, and several outcomes remain plausible. The question now is which club can present the most compelling combination of playing time, project appeal, and financial terms to convince the teenager to make a decisive move.