Arsenal make complete U-turn on explosive £50m Man Utd star after ‘due diligence’

Arsenal have dramatically reversed their stance on signing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho after conducting what club sources have described as “thorough due diligence” on the player’s availability, temperament, and potential fit within Mikel Arteta’s system.

Initially, the Gunners were heavily linked with a move for the explosive 21-year-old Argentine, whose pace, flair, and ability to turn games had caught the attention of several top European clubs. However, following extensive internal discussions and scouting reports, the north London side decided against pursuing the transfer — a decision that has surprised many in the footballing world.

Garnacho’s situation at Old Trafford has been under the spotlight all summer. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, his future looks uncertain, especially after reports emerged that he was told he could leave at the end of last season. This came in the wake of the player expressing dissatisfaction at being left out of the starting XI for the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur — a game United ultimately lost.

Tensions appeared to escalate further when respected journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed on July 4 that Garnacho, along with four other Manchester United players, had formally informed the club of his desire to leave. With the transfer window set to close on September 1, the clock is ticking for both the player and his current employers to resolve his future.

For Arsenal, Garnacho would have represented a high-profile attacking reinforcement. The winger has scored 26 goals and registered 22 assists in 144 appearances for United — numbers that underline his productivity despite his relatively young age. Yet, according to The Manchester Evening News, Arsenal’s in-depth research led them to believe that the deal was not the right fit, and the club promptly withdrew from the race.

Instead, Mikel Arteta has focused his resources elsewhere. The Gunners have already secured the signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea to strengthen their wide options and are actively exploring a move for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, whose creativity and versatility have made him one of the Premier League’s most sought-after talents. Sporting director Andrea Berta is understood to be leading those negotiations.

Arsenal’s decision opens the door for other clubs to make their move. Tottenham Hotspur, their fiercest rivals, were also linked with Garnacho but are currently prioritising a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho. Atletico Madrid — the player’s former club — explored the possibility of bringing him back to La Liga but opted instead to sign Spain international Alex Baena from Villarreal.

Chelsea, however, have emerged as the most serious contenders for Garnacho’s signature. TEAMtalk’s transfer insider Rudy Galetti claims the Blues have already agreed personal terms with the winger, who has made it clear that Stamford Bridge is his preferred destination. Chelsea are reportedly confident they can convince Manchester United to drop their £50 million asking price to around £35 million, despite United’s reluctance to let the player go cheaply.

Former Manchester United defender John O’Kane has urged his old club to remain firm on their valuation, pointing out that James McAtee recently moved to Nottingham Forest for £35 million despite having far less Premier League experience than Garnacho. “Manchester United needs to hold firm on this one — £50 million plus add-ons at a minimum,” O’Kane posted on X.

Last season was one of Garnacho’s busiest yet, with 58 appearances in all competitions. He scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists, further cementing his reputation as a high-energy attacker capable of impacting games at the highest level. Despite the apparent breakdown in his relationship with Amorim, there is no shortage of suitors willing to bet on his talent.

For Arsenal, the decision to walk away reflects a more measured approach to recruitment. Arteta and his team appear committed to finding players who not only fit the tactical blueprint but also align with the club’s long-term culture and dressing room harmony. Whether Garnacho thrives elsewhere or Arsenal come to regret this U-turn will be one of the intriguing subplots of the final weeks of the transfer window.

If you want, I can also extend this with deeper tactical analysis of why Garnacho might not have fit Arsenal’s current setup under Arteta so the piece reads even more like a professional football editorial. Would you like me to do that?

Here’s your rewritten and expanded version of the article, keeping the original title intact and making it over 10 paragraphs:

Arsenal make complete U-turn on explosive £50m Man Utd star after ‘due diligence’

Arsenal have reportedly taken a decisive step back from their pursuit of Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, ending weeks of speculation over a potential move for the explosive Argentine talent. The decision came after the club carried out what insiders have described as “thorough due diligence” on both the player’s on-field suitability and his off-field profile.

Garnacho, just 21, has been one of the most talked-about young players in the Premier League, with his flair, pace, and direct style making him a constant threat to opposition defences. Arsenal’s initial interest was understood to be genuine, with the winger seen as a possible addition to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s attacking options ahead of the new campaign.

However, the picture changed dramatically following internal reviews. Reports suggest that Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta evaluated Garnacho’s temperament, tactical fit, and long-term value to the squad, before ultimately deciding to walk away from the deal. It’s a notable shift, given the Gunners’ reputation for targeting dynamic, high-potential players in recent windows.

The player’s situation at Old Trafford has been turbulent under new manager Ruben Amorim. Garnacho’s dissatisfaction reportedly boiled over when he was left out of the starting XI for last season’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. Soon after, Fabrizio Romano revealed that he and four other players had formally informed Manchester United of their desire to leave.

With the transfer window set to slam shut on September 1, Garnacho’s future remains a pressing matter for both himself and United. Arsenal’s exit from the race removes one major suitor, potentially shifting the advantage to other clubs still keen on securing his signature.

During his time with the Red Devils, Garnacho has produced an impressive 26 goals and 22 assists in 144 appearances, showing both consistency and end product despite his youth. Yet Arsenal opted to focus elsewhere, sealing the signing of Noni Madueke from Chelsea and turning their attention to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, a creative midfielder with a different skill set.

Tottenham Hotspur were another club linked to Garnacho, but their attention has reportedly shifted to negotiating with Manchester City over Brazilian winger Savinho. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid — Garnacho’s former club — explored a return but ultimately signed Villarreal’s Alex Baena instead.

Chelsea have emerged as the frontrunners for Garnacho’s signature. According to TEAMtalk’s Rudy Galetti, the Blues have agreed personal terms with the winger, who is said to have made it clear that Stamford Bridge is his preferred destination. Chelsea are aiming to bring United’s asking price down from £50 million to around £35 million, though this is being met with resistance from Old Trafford.

Former United defender John O’Kane has urged his old club to stand firm, pointing out that Nottingham Forest just paid £35 million for James McAtee — a player with far less top-flight experience than Garnacho. “£50 million plus add-ons at a minimum,” O’Kane argued, insisting United must protect the market value of one of their most exciting young assets.

Garnacho’s 2024/25 campaign saw him make a staggering 58 appearances across competitions, scoring 11 goals and contributing 10 assists. His energy, dribbling ability, and knack for decisive moments have earned him admirers across Europe, ensuring that his name will remain a fixture in transfer headlines until the window closes.

For Arsenal, though, this is a clear statement of intent: they are no longer willing to compromise on their recruitment principles, even for a player with Garnacho’s talent. Arteta’s project is built on a carefully curated squad dynamic, and the decision to walk away underscores the importance of cohesion over star power. Whether this proves a masterstroke or a missed opportunity will only become clear in the seasons to come.