Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, has explained why a proposed move for Alejandro Garnacho ultimately fell through.
The Manchester United forward was heavily linked with an exit from Old Trafford during the winter transfer window, with the Serie A side at one point appearing favourites to land his signature.
Garnacho emerged as a major target for the Italian outfit following the departure of star player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain, who entered into negotiations with the Red Devils.
Chelsea were also considering making an audacious swoop for the Madrid-born star.
Having fallen out of favour after Ruben Amorim’s arrival, the Argentine was reportedly open to leaving the club, with concerns over where he would fit into the new head coach’s system.
Ultimately a move never materialised, with Napoli‘s offers falling well below United’s £60-£70million asking price.
And sporting director Manna has now revealed that the two sides were unable to reach an agreement due to Garnacho’s steep wage demands.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, he said: “Garnacho is a player that we like and we have liked. We discussed and met Garnacho even before Kvara left.
“We made an important offer to United, we got very close.
“The player wanted to leave the Premier League in January, because in July it’s different, he wanted to be satisfied financially, something that we can’t do at the moment.”
Manna explained that Napoli were unprepared to break their wage structure to bring the 20-year-old to Naples.
He continued: “We don’t want to and I don’t even think it’s right when there’s an average salary in the dressing room and you put a young player who earns a higher salary.
“It’s not right towards the others who are doing important things.”
GettyNapoli’s interest in Garnacho intensified after Kvaratskhelia’s £59m departure to PSG[/caption]
GettyGarnacho is yet to score under new Man United head coach Ruben Amorim[/caption]
According to Capology, Garnacho’s currently earns a weekly salary of £50,000 at Old Trafford.
And while this wage would not see him enter into Napoli’s estimated top ten earners, reportedly led by Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, it would appear the winger was targeting a significant pay rise.
Rumours that Garnacho was prepared to leave United first emerged after he was dropped by Amorim for the Manchester derby in December, alongside the recently departed Marcus Rashford.
Since the Portuguese coach’s arrival in November, he has started in ten of his 19 games in charge, and is yet to score.
In January, Amorim admitted that ‘anything could happen’ regarding a potential exit for the young star, with Chelsea and Tottenham also said to be interested in him.
Despite ongoing speculation, Garnacho has returned to the fold in recent weeks, starting three of United’s last four league games.
And as speculation over his future at the club died down towards the end of the transfer window, Amorim then heaped praise on the youngster for his response to his Manchester derby omission.
Speaking in a press conference last week, he said of Garnacho: “He changed right away since that game against Manchester City.
“The way he understands things, he understands that I just want to help him and I just want to win games.
“He changed in everything – the approach when I talk to him, the way he recovers, he understands sometimes I’m a different coach and that I’m demanding in my way.
“Sometimes it’s hard with the first impact because it’s a different type of coach. He understands [now] that it’s never in a bad way – it’s always for him.
“I think all the merit is for Garnacho. He is improving and we want to continue to improve with Garnacho.”