Napoli Chief Blames ‘Fault’ at Man Utd as Talks Advance Over £45m Garnacho Deal

Ruben Amorim has made his stance about Manchester United future | IMAGO

Napoli Chief Blames ‘Fault’ at Man Utd as Talks Advance Over £45m Garnacho Deal

Festus Chuma 08:45 - 10.07.2025

Manchester United are set to offload Alejandro Garnacho to Napoli after a fallout, with Aurelio De Laurentiis blaming United’s toxic culture.

Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis has taken a brutal swipe at Manchester United accusing the Premier League giants of being responsible for Alejandro Garnacho’s dramatic decline in form and attitude.

The outspoken Italian club owner declared that the young Argentine winger will flourish once he escapes what he described as a toxic environment at Old Trafford.

De Laurentiis’ remarks come as Napoli close in on a cut-price £45 million deal to sign Garnacho, who has become an outcast in Manchester following a bitter fallout with manager Ruben Amorim.

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United initially valued Garnacho at £60 million, but are willing to accept a significantly lower fee in order to draw a line under a turbulent episode that has soured relationships behind the scenes.

The saga erupted after United’s defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final in May, when Garnacho publicly criticised Amorim for benching him in one of the club’s biggest matches of the season.

The bust-up proved to be the tipping point, with Garnacho reportedly defying instructions, posting a series of petulant messages on social media, and further aggravating tensions with the coaching staff.

Napoli have emerged as frontrunners in the race for Garnacho’s signature, with the Serie A champions viewing the winger as an ideal addition to a squad that already boasts marquee summer signing Kevin De Bruyne, who arrived in Naples on a free transfer after his sensational spell at Manchester City.

‘There’s a Fault at United’ – De Laurentiis Launches Blistering Attack

Speaking about the situation, De Laurentiis pulled no punches in his assessment of the Premier League club’s handling of their young talent.

“Garnacho’s got pace, flair, potential… but that’s not even why we want him. We want him because he’s at United. Get him out, and he becomes twice the player. There’s a fault at United, I can’t explain,” De Laurentiis said in a pointed rebuke as per Daily Star.

Napoli believe Garnacho’s discontent at United has little to do with his abilities and everything to do with a flawed culture that stifles expression and confidence.

Sources close to the Italian club say De Laurentiis is convinced the 20-year-old can be restored to his explosive best in Serie A, especially in a system built around creativity and freedom.

United, meanwhile, are determined to push through the exit after manager Ruben Amorim effectively exiled Garnacho from the squad.

The Argentine was left out of United’s final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa, and Amorim reportedly told him and four other teammates – Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia – to stay away from pre-season training until their futures are resolved.

United Braced for Major Overhaul as Sales Become Priority

The Red Devils are under mounting pressure to raise funds through player sales in order to finance their summer recruitment drive.

Garnacho is one of several high-profile names the club hopes to move on swiftly, but negotiations have been complicated by public spats and a perception that United are desperate to sell.

The proposed deal with Napoli could ease some of that pressure. While talks are progressing, United are also fielding interest in Rashford and Sancho, though valuations remain a sticking point.

Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo’s potential move from Brentford has stalled over disagreements on price despite the player indicating his willingness to join United.