Alejandro Garnacho expected to join Chelsea this week as Blues and Manchester United get breakthrough in talks

Chelsea have made progress in their bid to sign Alejandro Garnacho in the last 24 hours, talkSPORT understands.

The Blues are looking to strike a deal for under Manchester United’s £50million asking price.

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Nothing is agreed yet between the two clubs, but the gulf in valuation is now smaller with Chelsea prepared to pay close to £40m.

There is an expectation that a deal for the Argentina international will be completed before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

Chelsea have had multiple bids rejected for the 21-year-old, who has already agreed terms with them.

A deal for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons remains possible, but there is no club-to-club agreement yet, which is why the Dutch midfielder continues to be available for selection.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT understands that Tottenham Hotspur are considering an audacious move to hijack Chelsea’s chase for Simons.

Chelsea’s priority is to secure the outgoings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.

RB Leipzig are one club in talks with Nkunku, and a return to his former club could unlock Simons’ move.

Garnacho looks set to leave Man United and join Chelsea having been told he’s not part of manager Ruben Amorim‘s plans.

The 21-year-old was informed by Amorim that he can depart as part of a ‘bomb squad’ with Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and more.

He didn’t feature during pre-season and has not played any part in United’s opening Premier League games.

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Garnacho has been with the Red Devils since 2020 and broke through the youth set-up into the first team two years later.

He’s gone on to make 144 appearances in total for the club, scoring 26 goals and providing 22 assists.

Chelsea’s bomb squad latest

Chelsea are set to bring in Garnacho, but they are also expecting multiple players to leave before the deadline.

The Blues have already sold Carney Chukwuemeka to Borussia Dortmund in a £24m deal.

The attacking midfielder signed a five-year contract as the move was formalised on Tuesday.

Argentine defender Aaron Anselmino will also join Chukwuemeka at Dortmund on a straight loan deal.

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Meanwhile, Jackson has several suitors, including Bayern Munich, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Bayern Munich.

Napoli’s focus is on trying to agree a deal for Rasmus Hojlund, but they have also discussed Jackson.

Chelsea value Jackson at £80m, but could consider a loan with an obligation formula, especially to a club outside the Premier League.

The Blues are also open to a permanent exit for Cobham graduate Tyrique George, with Roma working on a deal.

And Bournemouth are considering defender Axel Disasi, although an agreement is not yet advanced, but things could change quickly.

Raheem Sterling is also expected to depart. The England winger prefers to stay in London and remains on Fulham and West Ham‘s radar.

Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana and Alfie Gilchrist are three other names up for sale in the final days of the window.

Gilchrist is expected to move to a Championship club either in a permanent transfer or on loan.