Atletico Madrid Eye January Move for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho

According to reports from Fichajes, Atletico Madrid are closely monitoring Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho ahead of the January transfer window. Diego Simeone is believed to be keen on bringing the Argentine back to Madrid, seeing him as a pivotal addition to the club’s attacking line.

Garnacho’s La Liga Return on the Cards?

Having started his youth career at Atletico before moving to Manchester in 2021, Garnacho’s potential return has stirred considerable interest. His current season tally of eight goals and four assists in 24 appearances highlights his attacking prowess, despite limited game time under United boss Ruben Amorim.

Simeone reportedly views Garnacho as a prime target, especially with speculation surrounding Antoine Griezmann’s potential departure next summer. A dynamic front three featuring Garnacho alongside Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez would offer versatility and attacking depth.

Tensions at Manchester United
Under Amorim, Garnacho has struggled to secure consistent minutes, often left out of matchday squads. Reports suggest tactical incompatibilities between Amorim’s structured system and Garnacho’s instinctive style could accelerate the Argentine’s exit.

“He’s an exceptional talent but doesn’t fit our current tactical model,” an unnamed United source is believed to have stated.

With Atletico Madrid reportedly preparing a winter bid, a high-stakes transfer battle could be on the horizon as Simeone seeks to reinforce his attacking line for the second half of the season.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Garnacho’s potential departure raises significant concerns. His raw pace, flair, and goal-scoring ability make him one of the United’s most exciting young prospects. Allowing a player of his calibre to leave, particularly mid-season, could be seen as a strategic misstep.

Amorim’s rigid tactical approach has yielded mixed results, and benching a talent like Garnacho might indicate deeper management issues. Fans could argue that adapting the system to accommodate creative talents would be more prudent, especially given United’s occasional struggles in breaking down compact defences.

Moreover, Atletico Madrid’s interest underscores Garnacho’s market value and potential. Watching him thrive in Spain would be a bitter pill to swallow for supporters, particularly if his departure coincides with United’s continued pursuit of attacking consistency.

Given the uncertainties around Griezmann’s future at Atletico, Simeone’s proactive interest seems logical. However, from a United standpoint, retaining Garnacho and maximising his potential at Old Trafford should be the priority, lest he becomes another example of homegrown talent flourishing elsewhere.

Manchester United are ready to loan Marcus Rashford out in the January transfer window to give him the opportunity to raise his transfer value, as they did with Jadon Sancho. (Graeme Bailey)

Potentially replacing Rashford could be Athletic Club forward Nico Williams, who had been identified as the dream signing by Man Utd officials. (Fichajes – Spain)

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Leicester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in his services. (CaughtOffside)

Bournemouth have opened talks to sign Lanus left-back Julio Soler amid uncertainty over the future of Milos Kerkez. (Uriel Lugt)

Manchester City are ready to bid €50m (£41.4m) for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, who has been personally identified as a target by manager Pep Guardiola. (Fichajes – Spain)

Also on Man City’s radar are Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani and Brighton’s Evan Ferguson. (GIVEMESPORT)

Real Madrid are ready to sell centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba at the end of the season. (Real Madrid Confidencial)

Liverpool’s contract talks with winger Luis Diaz have stalled because the Colombia international is pushing for a move to Barcelona. (Antena2 – Colombia)

Galatasaray are in talks to sign Roma forward Paulo Dybala, whose contract expires this summer. (Sky Sports Germany)

PSG centre-back Milan Skriniar is also in advanced talks over a loan move to Galatasaray. (Ertan Suzgun)

West Ham United have been following 22-year-old Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. (Fabrizio Romano)

Everton are looking at Rangers striker Hamza Igamane amid questions over the futures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto. (TBR Football)

Aston Villa could recall midfielder Enzo Barrenechea from his loan with Valencia in January. (Estadio Deportivo – Spain)

90min

Manchester United need to raise funds and quickly, so here are six potential transfers in 2025 that could bring in £200m for Ruben Amorim’s huge rebuild.

The extraordinary finish to the Manchester derby should give Amorim‘s underperforming squad a much-needed confidence boost, but Man Utd (nor Man City, really) deserved to take all three points from a bizarre match.

So, the fact remains that the Red Devils require an almighty rebuild in 2025 as Amorim – who has inherited a basket case of a club suffering after years of poor off-field decisions – has a massive job ahead of him.

It feels like Groundhog Day again, as this was also the case in 2022 upon Erik ten Hag’s arrival. Since the Dutchman’s appointment, dire recruitment has contributed to Man Utd arguably going backwards rather than forwards.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe supposedly brought in the ‘best in class’ to support him but it remains to be seen whether his increasingly laughable regime is up to the task of leading Man Utd.

Failings in the transfer market leave Amorim with fewer than ten ‘unsellables’ and upgrades are required all over the pitch if they are to return to challenging for the Premier League and Champions League any time soon.

Unfortunately for Amorim, Man Utd have a ‘tight budget’ heading into the winter transfer window and may have to sell players to raise funds.

So, from the least expensive potential deal upwards, here are six somewhat feasible 2025 sales (fees taken from transfermarkt) they could sanction to bolster Amorim’s war chest…

Casemiro to Galatasaray (£10m)
Ratcliffe and co. are rueing the previous regime’s baffling decision to give the ageing Casemiro a four-year (plus extension option) contract when he was bought from Real Madrid for an eye-watering £60m in 2022.

Casemiro’s form has sharply declined since his positive debut season. He does not appear to be part of Amorim’s plans as the 32-year-old has been an unused substitute in United’s last three Premier League games.

Realistically, Man Utd just need to get Casemiro’s high wage off the books and this could come as a free transfer. A Saudi Pro League move has consistently been mooted, but there is also reported interest from Galatasaray, who could give him an opportunity to ply his trade with/against several Premier League has-beens (including Jose Mourinho) in the Turkish Super Lig.

Andre Onana to Inter Milan (£29m)
David De Gea’s replacement overcame a couple of post-transfer disasterclasses in the Champions League to establish himself at Man Utd. He’s been one of their better performers over the past 18 months.

Despite this, Man Utd have still consistently been linked with potential upgrades and his worrying recent performances (which have seen him lose his spot as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League) are starting to justify these calls.

Football365