But L’Equipe report Chelsea are now ready to step up their interest and approach United imminently after extensive talks within the club in recent days. At this late stage in the window, the report claims United’s asking price for Garnacho currently stands at around £80million.

Chelsea FC are set to ramp up their pursuit of Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho (20), according to L’Equipe. The Blues have been monitoring the 20-year-old Manchester United Academy

Chelsea are in talks over several deals as the transfer window slowly but surely draws to a close. Chelsea have opened formal talks with Corinthians over 16-year-old left-back Denner. READ MORE Chelsea's pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could go down to the wire and,

The 29-year-old is also France's first-choice goalkeeper, having replaced World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris, who retired after Les Bleus' World Cup final defeat to Argentina. Maignan is now the country's vice-captain and was named in the Euro 2024 team of the tournament last summer.

As recently as August, the unequivocal message coming out of Stamford Bridge was that Chelsea had their three goalkeepers of the future: reinstated No 1 Robert Sanchez, new signing Filip Jorgensen and giant Belgian teenager Mike Penders,

Chelsea have decided that they do not need to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez, according to reports. Sanchez has faced plenty of criticism from various football pundits this season and has been identified as a weak link in the Chelsea XI.