As reported by the Metro, Spain wants Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho to leave Argentina and join them in the future together with young players Gavi and Pedri.
The former World and European Champions are preparing to make another pitch to the 18-year-old, promising him immediate caps if he joins them. The highly valued United winger, whose parents are from Spain and Argentina, is a dual citizen.
Garnacho, who was born in Madrid, spent his entire life in Spain and played three times for their Under 18 team before accepting an invitation to join Argentina’s Under 20 team.
Although he didn’t participate in any of Argentina’s games during that international break, the United star was invited to meet up with the senior squad over a year ago, so he was still eligible to represent Spain.
Erik ten Hag quickly integrated Garnacho into United’s first-team squad, giving him a slim chance to play in the World Cup in Qatar in November. Their hopes were increased when Argentina withdrew two players due to injuries just before the tournament began, but manager Lionel Scaloni went with winger Thiago Almada of MLS team Atlanta United, instead of Garnacho.
That dismayed the Old Trafford player, who then spoke with Spanish officials in the hopes that they could still be able to persuade him to return to their team.
Garnacho’s progress has impressed national team manager Luis Enrique, who is rumoured to have observed him last week at the Nou Camp during the dramatic 2-2 Europa League tie with Barcelona.
By the end of the month, Spain has two Euro 2024 qualifying matches: one at home against Norway and one away in Scotland. Enrique is rumoured to be willing to give Garnacho his senior debut if he returned to his own country.
The Barcelona trio of Gavi, Pedri, and former Manchester City striker Ferran Torres are all part of Enrique’s plans as he builds for the future. The young potential of Garnacho fits Enrique’s plan well, and if the talented attacker chooses to play for Spain, United wouldn’t be upset either.
Five South American football stars currently represent United: Casemiro, Fred, and Antony for Brazil; Lisandro Martinez for Argentina; and youngster Facundo Pillestri from Uruguay.
That requires a lot more travel than it does for international stars who are based in Europe, so it would be a simpler scenario if Garnacho selected Spain than Argentina.
United would not try to sway Garnacho in any way, and the teenager already has an Argentine team-mate in World Cup champion Lisandro Martinez in his own locker room.
The tenacious South American defender, who joined from Ajax in a £56.7 deal last summer, believes Garnacho will have a bright future with Argentina. While all is going on, United is working hard to agree to a lucrative new contract for Garnacho, and the world’s top teams are closely following their progress.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain are all keeping a close eye on the talented winger who is still without a contract extension. But, according to club insiders, negotiations over Garnacho’s new contract are still ongoing between Old Trafford representatives and the player’s advisors.
