Chelsea dealt heavy transfer blow by Forest and Brentford as £30m hopes crushed

Chelsea may have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, courtesy of those elsewhere in the Premier League. The Blues have splashed the cash on attacking signings already this summer, and further reinforcements are being eyed.

Following the arrivals of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, Enzo Maresca's side have identified Garnacho as a key target for the remainder of the window - aware that the winger is unhappy at Old Trafford.

The Argentine international is said to be keen on a move to Chelsea and is awaiting talks to advance, though there have already been some issues arise in negotiations due to a gap in valuations.

Despite Garnacho being part of Ruben Amorim's five-man 'bomb squad', United are not willing to allow the 21-year-old on the cheap and they value the forward at in the region of £50million. However, given the circumstances, Chelsea are looking for a cut-price deal.

The Blues are said to be hoping to get a deal over the line for £30m, though their argument for striking an agreement for a fee in that region appears to be worsening. Instead, United have a host of deals that they can point to which would justify their asking price.

Brentford have recently agreed a deal worth up to £42m to sign Dango Outtara from AFC Bournemouth, despite the player being unhappy at the Vitality Stadium. Similarly, Nottingham Forest sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for a total package of £55m.

With both players pushing for their respective exits and, arguably, showing less than Garnacho has in the Premier League in years gone by, United may feel that the last few months of business in the transfer window has only provided them with more evidence that their No. 17 is worth more than £30m.

Chelsea themselves may also have shot themselves in the foot before reaching the negotiating table. Maresca's side sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal for £52m earlier this summer, despite the England international never truly managing to meet his potential at Stamford Bridge and expected to be a rotational option next season. United could use that same exact description when looking back at Garnacho's time as a Red Devils star, and Chelsea therefore may not be able to provide an answer when asked how there is £20m worth of differences between the two potential moves.