Manchester United reportedly plan to hold talks with Napoli's sporting director later this week over a deal for unwanted attacker Alejandro Garnacho.
The Argentine was a notable omission from the matchday squad for Sunday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the Premier League's final day after a public war of words with Ruben Amorim.
Garnacho was snubbed from the first whistle in Wednesday's Europa League final with Tottenham Hotspur, and he could not prevent his side from slumping to a 1-0 loss during his short time on the pitch.
The 20-year-old expressed disappointment and confusion at Amorim's decision not to start him, while his brother and agent publicly hit out at the Portuguese on social media.
Meanwhile, Amorim defended his decision by highlighting one of Garnacho's misses against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, before leaving him out of the ranks for the visit of Villa.
Napoli sporting director to 'hold talks' with Man Utd over £50m Garnacho deal
© Imago
Garnacho was still included in Man United's travelling squad for their post-season tour of Asia - a surprising decision - but he is not expected to make another competitive appearance for the club.
Now, The i Paper claims that Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna will soon meet with members of the Man United hierarchy to accelerate a £50m transfer for the 20-year-old this summer.
Napoli supposedly tried and failed to capture Garnacho in a £40m deal during the January transfer window, when they sought the South American as a replacement for Paris Saint-Germain-bound Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Man United were holding out for a £60m fee over the winter, but the report adds that a £50m compromise is now likely to be reached, and Napoli are leading the race despite glances from Chelsea.
Garnacho is set to depart Man United with a record of 26 goals and 22 assists from 44 appearances in all competitions, including 11 strikes and 10 assists from 58 matches in the current campaign.
Man United risk Scott McTominay repeat with Garnacho sale
© Imago
At Napoli, Garnacho will link up with two other ex-Man United players who were deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku and Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay.
The latter was let go by Erik ten Hag despite consistently demonstrating a goal threat at Man United, which he has continued to develop in Naples, registering 13 goals in 39 games this season.
McTominay set Napoli on their way to title glory against Cagliari on Friday night, scoring a fabulous bicycle kick to open the scoring in a 2-0 win as Antonio Conte's men pipped Inter Milan to the crown.
There will no doubt be a fear of a similar renaissance from Garnacho in a Napoli shirt, although there were always question marks regarding his suitability for an Amorim system.
Furthermore, the Red Devils are now said to have reached a full verbal agreement for his replacement, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha, whose expected shirt number has also been revealed ahead of his £62.5m arrival.
Ben Knapton
