Alejandro Garnacho is already on the periphery at Chelsea before a ball has been kicked in pre-season. The 21-year-old was absent when Xabi Alonso's squad returned to Cobham on Thursday, and the noises out of west London are clear: Chelsea want him gone.

The Argentine joined from Manchester United in a £40 million deal and signed a seven-year contract, yet his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge never caught fire. He managed just one Premier League goal across 24 appearances — ten of those coming off the bench — as he struggled to nail down a regular starting berth under Enzo Maresca and then Liam Rosenior.

Chelsea's position is straightforward. They value Garnacho at around £43 million — roughly 50 million euros — and will only consider permanent transfers. A loan move to Roma has been floated in the Italian press, but the club are not interested in temporary arrangements. Premier League rivals, European sides and clubs in Saudi Arabia have all registered interest, and talks are said to be advancing with several parties.

There is an added layer of complexity in any deal: Manchester United negotiated a ten per cent sell-on clause when Garnacho departed Old Trafford, meaning his former club stands to benefit from whatever fee Chelsea eventually secure.

Part of a Wider Rebuild Under Alonso

Garnacho's absence from pre-season is not an isolated situation. Chelsea are undertaking a significant squad reshaping as Alonso puts his stamp on the group ahead of the club's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, which begins within the fortnight.

The Blues have already moved swiftly in the market. Full-back Marco Palestra has arrived from Atalanta for £47 million, while winger Geovany Quenda has joined from Sporting for £40 million. On the way out, Marc Cucurella has completed a £52 million move to Real Madrid and young winger Tyrique George has joined Everton in a deal worth up to £24 million.

Further business is anticipated. Chelsea are in the market for a centre-back, with Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix understood to be among their targets. Rayo Vallecano's left-back Pep Chavarria is in talks to move to Stamford Bridge, while defender Trevoh Chalobah's representatives are exploring options at Inter Milan and Como.

A Season to Forget at Stamford Bridge

Last term ended with Chelsea in tenth place in the Premier League — a result that accelerated the need for change. Garnacho arrived with genuine expectations following his eye-catching form at United, but he managed eight goals in 43 appearances across all competitions, with six of those coming in domestic cup games. The raw numbers tell a story of a player who never fully adapted to Maresca's system.

Whether a buyer emerges quickly will depend on how willing clubs are to meet Chelsea's valuation. The market has been active this summer, and with Chelsea keen to finalise incomings and outgoings before their tour gets under way, the timeline for resolving Garnacho's future is tightening.

For now, he trains apart — and the clock is ticking on his time at Stamford Bridge.

Frequently asked

Why is Garnacho not training with Chelsea?
Chelsea are actively trying to sell Garnacho and have left him out of pre-season training at Cobham while they pursue a permanent transfer. The club values him at around £43 million.
How much did Chelsea pay for Garnacho?
Chelsea signed Garnacho from Manchester United for £40 million, and he penned a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Do Manchester United get money if Chelsea sell Garnacho?
Yes. United negotiated a ten per cent sell-on clause as part of the original transfer, so they will receive a cut of any future sale fee.