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Manchester United must have been delighted when Chelsea took Alejandro Garnacho off their hands, shelling out £40 million ($53.4 million) for the winger last summer.
Garnacho had been frozen out at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim (remember him?!), and was eager for a fresh start. His oversized ego meant the endearing charm of his early days was quickly forgotten by Manchester United fans, who had grown weary of the drama surrounding the Argentine.
His ability is undeniable, but his debut campaign at Chelsea was disappointing, yielding just two goals across 33 Premier League and Champions League outings. Garnacho did find the net regularly in the Carabao Cup, however, so it wasn't a complete washout.
Still, with yet another new chapter beginning at Stamford Bridge, there's speculation that Garnacho could depart after just one year. According to The Athletic, Chelsea have shifted his status from 'not for sale' to 'for sale' and will entertain offers. Two clubs set to compete in next season's Champions League are reportedly interested, though the Blues are seeking a permanent deal rather than a loan.
Here are five possible destinations for the 22-year-old, ranked from least to most likely.
5. Galatasaray
Garnacho may be too young for a switch to the Turkish Super Lig, which tends to attract aging Premier League names, successful or not.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are certainly not lacking in funds and could finance a permanent move for Garnacho, satisfying Chelsea's requirements.
Gala have made bold moves in recent years to establish themselves at the highest level. They've dominated domestically, but have found Europe's elite a tougher proposition in the Champions League. Reaching the round of 16 last season was a step forward, yet the heavy defeat at Anfield against Liverpool served as a stark reminder of the gap that still exists.
The Turkish champions boast genuine superstars on their roster, including Victor Osimhen, and have clearly positioned themselves as an appealing destination for talented players from Europe's top-five leagues.
No concrete links to Garnacho have emerged yet, but it's easy to picture the Argentine winger in Gala colors.
4. Como
Como are pursuing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, with former Blues midfielder Cesc Fàbregas having guided the Serie A club to their first-ever European qualification last season.
The allure of the Champions League now awaits on the lakeside, with Como already securing their standout creative force of the past two seasons, Nico Paz, for their venture into elite European competition.
Como frequently operated without a natural left winger last season, with Croatian international Martin Baturina filling the left role in a creative trio behind the striker.
Garnacho would offer Fàbregas an alternative option on that flank. While he can be inconsistent in the final third, Garnacho brings value as an energetic runner who stretches backlines, creating space for Paz in threatening areas.
Italian media have only loosely connected the Chelsea man with a potential move to the rising Serie A side.
3. Napoli
Napoli were keen on Garnacho last summer, when it became apparent he was departing Man Utd, but Chelsea ultimately won the battle for his signature.
The Argentine never quite seemed like an Antonio Conte-type player, making Napoli's pursuit somewhat puzzling, though the Italian has since departed after the 2024–25 Scudetto winners surrendered their title to Inter.
The old-school Massimiliano Allegri has been named as Conte's replacement, yet, according to some reports, Napoli remain interested.
Their need for a left-sided attacker will hinge on the future of the talented Noa Lang, who endured a difficult spell under Conte. January signing Alisson Santos is also one to monitor.
Garnacho doesn't appear to be a pressing need for Napoli, particularly if Lang remains, but he could become another ex-Man Utd player to flourish in Campania, following in the footsteps of Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund.
2. Saudi Pro League
Garnacho may be a couple of years away from being Galatasaray-ready, but he's certainly not too young for a lucrative move to the Middle East.
Reports indicate the Argentine could be tempted by a switch to the Gulf region, with the Saudi Pro League's footballing relevance unlikely to fade ahead of the country's hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
Still unable to lure top-tier players in their prime, the league has had to target players of Garnacho's caliber alongside fading veterans. The Argentine is keen to remain within Europe's top-five leagues, but the difficulty European clubs face in funding a permanent deal could push him toward a more distant option.
Rumors circulated last summer that Garnacho had rejected the opportunity to join Al Nassr and link up with childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Following a disappointing season at Chelsea, his stance may have softened.
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1. Roma
Roma owe much to Donyell Malen for propelling the club to its first Champions League appearance in seven years. The Dutch international arrived in the Italian capital midway through the campaign and netted 14 times in 18 Serie A outings.
It ranked among the finest January acquisitions in recent memory, and Roma's European qualification triggered the obligation-to-buy clause in his loan agreement from Aston Villa.
Malen addresses Gian Piero Gasperini's center-forward concern, but there is still room to strengthen around the Dutch international. Paulo Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini have all departed as free agents.
There is genuine interest in Garnacho, but Roma, at present, are only in a position to sign the Argentine on loan. A compromise with Chelsea may eventually be reached, with the Blues potentially open to such an arrangement featuring an option or obligation to buy.