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Manchester United reportedly refused a player-plus-cash offer from Chelsea this past summer, rejecting the chance to bring in midfielder Romeo Lavia as part of the £40 million deal that sent Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge.
According to ESPN, Chelsea had offered the £58 million-rated Lavia in a swap deal that would have lowered the overall fee. But United’s decision-makers declined the proposal, citing serious concerns about the 21-year-old’s ongoing fitness issues.
Despite being in the market for midfield reinforcements, United opted against taking the gamble. Instead, manager Ruben Amorim has had to reshuffle the squad, pushing Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role alongside Casemiro.
Injury Woes Made United Cautious
Lavia’s time at Chelsea has been plagued by physical setbacks. Since arriving from Southampton in 2023 on a seven-year contract, he has managed just a handful of appearances and hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes in over two years.
He’s missed a staggering 88 matches due to recurring injuries, with his latest setback—a quadriceps strain—keeping him sidelined for another month. That injury struck just minutes into Chelsea’s recent Champions League clash with Qarabag.
For a United side still trying to rebuild under new leadership, the idea of adding an injury-risk midfielder with that track record likely felt like a step backward.
Garnacho Finding His Feet at Chelsea
While Lavia continues to battle fitness, Garnacho is already making his presence felt in west London. Though not yet at peak performance, the 21-year-old winger has forced his way into Enzo Maresca’s plans, logging 10 appearances and scoring twice.
In a recent match against Wolves, Garnacho provided two assists—his best performance yet in a Chelsea shirt. Despite a rocky exit from Old Trafford, the Argentine appears determined to move forward.
After being frozen out by Amorim and labelled part of the “bomb squad” at United, Garnacho told TNT in September: “It was a difficult moment there, just training alone… but I’ve got nothing bad to say about my old club.”
Bitter Return to Old Trafford
Garnacho has already been back at Old Trafford this season—though only as a substitute. He didn’t feature in Chelsea’s 2-1 loss but was met with hostility from home fans during the warm-up.
The chants were reminiscent of those aimed at Carlos Tevez when he made the controversial switch to Manchester City in 2009. For Garnacho, it was a clear sign that bridges with United fans have been burned.
What This Means for Online Casino Bettors
For regular punters keeping an eye on Premier League betting markets, this backstory adds value. Garnacho’s rise at Chelsea could influence player props, assist lines, or goal scorer odds—especially as his role in the starting XI becomes more secure.
On the flip side, Romeo Lavia remains a high-risk name in fantasy and betting circles. Until he can prove consistent fitness, bettors would do well to steer clear of any markets tied to his performance or minutes played.
