In a stunning development, Manchester United have agreed to a £50 million transfer fee with Arsenal for their highly-rated 20-year-old winger Alejandro Garnacho, who has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
The deal, finalized on June 27, 2025, sees the Argentine star, once tipped as United’s future, set to sign a five-year contract with Arsenal, with the official announcement expected tomorrow. The transfer, a major coup for Mikel Arteta’s side, has shocked fans of both clubs, with social media buzzing over the unexpected move.
Garnacho, who joined United from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £420,000, burst onto the scene with 11 goals and eight assists in 57 appearances last season, including a FIFA Puskás Award-winning bicycle kick against Everton in 2023.
His 78 dribbles and relentless energy made him a fan favorite, but tensions with manager Ruben Amorim surfaced after Garnacho’s public criticism of United’s “s***” 15th-place season and Europa League final loss to Tottenham. Amorim’s decision to exclude him from the squad and subsequent loan offers prompted Garnacho’s push for a permanent exit, with Arsenal emerging as his preferred destination over Napoli and Chelsea.
The £50 million fee, a significant profit for United, aligns with their strategy to fund a squad rebuild, having already signed Viktor Gyökeres (£110m) and Matheus Cunha (£62.5m). Arsenal, outmaneuvering rivals like Chelsea, who admired Garnacho but prioritized Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, secured the deal with a lucrative £150,000 weekly salary and a five-year contract until 2030.
Arteta sees Garnacho as a versatile winger to complement Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka, especially after missing out on Sporting’s Gyökeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško.
United fans are devastated, with one posting, “Losing Garnacho to Arsenal? Heartbreaking after all he gave us.” Arsenal supporters, however, are elated, with a fan writing, “Garnacho’s pace and flair will light up the Emirates!”
The transfer follows United’s sale of Marcus Rashford (loan to Aston Villa) and Jadon Sancho’s likely exit, signaling Amorim’s ruthless overhaul. For Arsenal, Garnacho’s arrival, alongside Martin Zubimendi’s £55 million signing, bolsters their title challenge. As the deal awaits formalities, the Premier League braces for a new chapter in Garnacho’s meteoric rise at a rival club.
