Chelsea news: Blues interested in Alejandro Garnacho and Naomi Girma
Chelsea are making waves in the transfer market yet again, with rumours swirling about their interest in two rising stars.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave have been linked with moves to the London club this window.
While Garnacho could bolster the men’s team’s attacking options, Girma could be a defensive powerhouse for the women’s squad.
Here, Transfer News Blitz writer Nicole Powell takes a look at whether these moves are practical for Chelsea, or if they simply just testing the waters.
Gimme, gimme, gimme, a winger from Manchester
The Chelsea men’s team have been linked to Manchester United winger Garnacho.
Garnacho’s agent was present at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as Enzo Maresca’s team won their first Premier League game since December.
The winger is wanted by both Napoli and Chelsea, with the latter reportedly ready to propose a £60million bid after Napoli’s proposal was rejected by United last week.
The young Argentine is in his fourth season as a Red Devils player, with 23 goals in 113 games.
Although not a regular starter, he has often been fielded in as a substitute.
Chelsea already have a viable set of wingers - Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Not to mention, Christopher Nkunku is also able to play on the wing.
It would be wrong to assume that the Blues are desperate for a winger, despite a recent rough patch.
Chelsea's main weakness at the moment is at the back, with a shaky defence and a not-so-confident Robert Sanchez in goal.
United, on the other hand, are in desperate need of true attacking strength, especially considering Marcus Rashford’s absence.
Priorities for Chelsea should be in strengthening their defensive and goalkeeping positions this January window, with attacking options being held off until at least the summer window.
Whilst Maresca has every reason to be happy with Sancho’s successful loan from Manchester United, another winger from the same club may not necessarily be what the Italian needs in his team.
Sancho was not featured in United’s games for reasons outside of playing ability.
Garnacho, on the other hand, is not a regular starter because of what he brings to the table in comparison to his teammates.
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From the USA with love
On the women’s side, Chelsea and Sonia Bompastor are reportedly seeking the services of an American player.
Girma is widely considered one of the best players in the world at the moment.
The American defender is hot on the market, with Lyon and Chelsea in the race to sign her.
It has been reported that Lyon had made a women's world record $1million offer to San Diego Wave, and if there is a club capable of competing with that offer, it’s Chelsea.
Girma has 44 international caps to her name and Chelsea are said to be prepared to do all it takes to sign Girma, their priority target in the January window.
Centre-back Kadeisha Buchanan is out with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, pushing Chelsea to get a suitable replacement.
While both Lyon and Chelsea can offer UEFA Women’s Champions League football, as well as trophies, the London side have a unique upper hand.
Girma’s head coach at the US Women’s National Team, Emma Hayes, is a former Chelsea manager, whose affections still lie with the reigning Women’s Super League champions.
Hayes will have some impact on Girma’s decision, whether official or not, leaving this as a story to keep a close eye on.
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
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