Alejandro Garnacho’s potential move to Napoli collapsed after the Argentine winger made what the club considered an “unfair” financial demand.
At one point during the winter transfer window, the 20-year-old seemed destined to leave Manchester United. His limited playing time, incompatibility with Ruben Amorim’s tactical system, and the club’s financial pressures under PSR all contributed to speculation about his departure.
Both Napoli and Chelsea showed strong interest in Garnacho, but he ultimately remained at Old Trafford, where he has since enjoyed a resurgence in form.
Napoli had been actively searching for a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who had joined Paris Saint-Germain in a £59 million deal earlier in the month. However, their pursuit of Garnacho ended in disappointment, with Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna revealing why the transfer fell apart.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Manna explained:
“We had discussions with Garnacho even before Kvara left. We made a significant offer to Manchester United because we really wanted him. The player was open to leaving the Premier League in January, knowing the summer market would be different.
“But he wanted financial satisfaction that we simply couldn’t provide. We have a structured wage system in place, and it wouldn’t have been fair to introduce a young player earning significantly more than others who have been working hard for the team.
“It wouldn’t have been right for the dressing room dynamics or for the squad we built to compete. So, despite our strong interest, we had to walk away from the deal.”
Napoli were also unable to meet United’s reduced asking price of £55 million, which further complicated negotiations.
The Italian club had also been in the race to sign Patrick Dorgu, but the Danish left-back ultimately joined Manchester United in a £25 million deal, plus £4 million in add-ons.
Reflecting on the club’s approach in the transfer market, Manna emphasized Napoli’s commitment to signing strong and functional players rather than making costly, impulsive moves.
He stated: “Napoli must focus on top-quality players, whether young or experienced. For example, we had been negotiating for Dorgu, but once United made an above-market offer, it became difficult for us to compete.
“If there’s an opportunity like [Scott] McTominay, we’ll consider it, but we won’t overpay on wages and commissions like some clubs do. Our approach is strategic—we target talented and well-suited players, not just any available big name.
“We brought in Buongiorno, Gilmour, Spinazzola, McTominay, Neres, and Lukaku—all strong players at the right market moment. The priority was replacing Kvara, and while we didn’t do it exactly as planned, we minimized our mistakes and built a competitive team.
“Meeting Garnacho’s demands would have disrupted the squad balance. It wasn’t the right move for us, even though we tried. Am I happy about it? No. But the transfer window is never really over—we’ll have more chances to strengthen.
“Right now, our focus remains on the Champions League and maintaining our momentum. Dreaming is good, but staying grounded is essential. If you fly too high, you risk a hard fall.
“This Napoli team deserves only praise. No one expected us to be in this position, and yet here we are.”
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