Manchester United officially announces Alejandro Garnacho's £40 million transfer to Chelsea, wearing Sancho's number! Højlund flies to medical check-up

In the early hours of Sunday, Manchester United confirmed that 21-year-old Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho has officially transferred to Chelsea. Reports indicate the transfer fee is close to £40 million, consisting of a £35 million fixed amount, £5 million in performance-related add-ons, plus a 10% sell-on clause. Garnacho has already arrived in London, sporting a newly dyed hairstyle, and watched Chelsea’s controversial 2-0 Premier League victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea announced his signing with Garnacho’s signature billboard celebration move. Interestingly, English media revealed that this Manchester United academy product will wear Chelsea’s number 19 jersey, the same number Jadon Sancho wore last season on loan at Stamford Bridge. The "Little Joe" of the Red Devils is now taking over from the "Big Joe." The previous owner of this number was Mason Mount, who transferred for £60 million and currently plays for Manchester United.

After signing a contract with Chelsea until 2032, Garnacho said: "Joining this great club is an incredible moment for me and my family. I can’t wait to start playing. I watched Chelsea’s Club World Cup matches, and being part of the world champion team is something special. We are the best team in the world. Being here amazes me, and I’m very happy."

With Garnacho’s transfer finalized, the next confirmed departure is 22-year-old Danish striker Rasmus Højlund. Manchester United and Napoli have reached a full agreement, and the player has agreed to join. This is a €6 million loan deal, with an obligation to buy for €44 million if Napoli qualify for the Champions League next season, with no option to return.

If the conditions for Højlund’s permanent transfer are met, according to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) special provisions, although Manchester United will record a net loss of nearly £30 million on these buy-and-sell deals, they will avoid a book loss in the PSR calculations. Romano reported: "Højlund’s move to Napoli, here we go! All parties have reached a verbal agreement on a €44 million loan-to-buy deal. Højlund has already agreed to join Napoli and is expected to undergo a medical within 24 hours."

Højlund again missed Manchester United’s Premier League squad list; he flew directly to Rome, Italy, preparing to head to Naples for his medical exam. Italian transfer expert Di Marzio shared a video of him and his team leaving Rome airport. The transfer is expected to be completed within a day, where he will reunite with former Manchester United teammate McTominay at the Maradona Stadium.

So far, Manchester United still needs to offload three more players discarded by Amrabat before or by the September 1 summer transfer deadline. These include Antony, Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia. The club had already agreed to sell Antony to La Liga’s Real Betis for €25 million, plus a 50% sell-on profit sharing clause.

However, due to Antony demanding compensation, Betis withdrew their offer. Now, the 25-year-old Brazilian winger’s transfer is uncertain. Sevilla’s ABC newspaper revealed that Manchester United demanded Betis pay €6 million owed to Antony and his agent, causing a dispute. Betis angrily withdrew their bid and will not renew it unless Antony and Manchester United resolve the €6 million debt issue.

The newspaper stated: "Just when negotiations seemed finalized, everything fell apart because Manchester United tried to impose a debt payment for Antony on Betis. Betis refused to pay. Everyone believed an agreement would be reached, but as of August 30, there is still no new deal."

La Liga’s summer window closes a few hours later than the Premier League’s, so all three parties still have time to seek a compromise. If Antony stays at Manchester United, it will be a lose-lose-lose outcome.