Arsenal have made a surprising turnaround regarding their interest in Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho. After weeks of speculation, the club carried out what insiders called “thorough due diligence” on the 21-year-old winger’s availability, temperament, and suitability for Arteta’s style of play, ultimately deciding against pushing for the £50 million transfer. The move shocked many who expected the Gunners to aggressively pursue such a dynamic young player.
The London side had been strongly linked with Garnacho earlier in the summer. His raw pace, technical flair, and ability to change the flow of matches had caught the eyes of scouts across Europe. But despite these qualities, reports suggest Arsenal’s deep internal evaluations raised questions that led to the withdrawal of their interest, a decision that runs counter to the initial excitement around his possible arrival.
At Old Trafford, Garnacho’s future has been in doubt for months. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, the Argentine’s place in the squad looks increasingly unstable. Tensions reportedly peaked after he was left out of the Europa League final starting XI against Tottenham, sparking dissatisfaction that spilled into the public arena when rumors suggested he could be allowed to leave.
That frustration only intensified when Fabrizio Romano revealed on July 4 that Garnacho, along with several teammates, had formally communicated his desire to depart. With the transfer window closing on September 1, the winger’s situation has become urgent, with both player and club under pressure to make a decisive move soon.
From Arsenal’s point of view, Garnacho would have been a significant attacking upgrade. His record — 26 goals and 22 assists in 144 United appearances — demonstrates impressive output for someone so young. Yet sources close to the Gunners insist the decision was purely strategic; after reviewing the data and scouting insights, they concluded the signing wasn’t the right fit and promptly stepped aside.
Attention has since turned to other targets. Arsenal have already brought in Noni Madueke from Chelsea to bolster their flanks and are now circling Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze. Eze’s creativity and adaptability are viewed as valuable assets, and sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly handling negotiations to secure his services before the deadline.
The U-turn leaves Garnacho’s future open to rival clubs. Tottenham remain loosely interested but are currently prioritising Manchester City’s Savinho. Atletico Madrid, Garnacho’s old stomping ground, briefly explored a reunion but instead pursued Villarreal’s Alex Baena. Chelsea, however, have advanced the furthest — with reports claiming they’ve agreed personal terms and are confident of lowering United’s £50m valuation to nearer £35m.
Former United defender John O’Kane has already urged the club not to fold. He highlighted that James McAtee cost £35m with far less experience, insisting Garnacho should fetch at least £50m plus add-ons. Garnacho’s 58 appearances last season, with 11 goals and 10 assists, underline his value. For Arsenal, the decision reflects a careful recruitment philosophy — one built on tactical cohesion and dressing room balance. Whether this caution proves wise or costly will become clear as the window ticks toward its close.
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