Chelsea risk upsetting Alejandro Garnacho as new Todd Boehly transfer masterplan emerges

Alejandro Garnacho hasn't even been at Chelsea for six months, and yet Blues owner Todd Boehly risks upsetting the summer signing amid reported plans for a new rival

Summer signing Alejandro Garnacho has barely had a chance to settle in at Chelsea before reports have emerged that his place in the team could come under fire. And it's a familiar face who could be jostling for his spot following reports the Blues are interested in signing Marcus Rashford.

Both players were subject to their own forms of exile at Manchester United last season before leaving Old Trafford in the summer. Garnacho, 21, completed a cut-price £40million move to Stamford Bridge while Rashford, 28, headed back out on loan, this time to Barcelona.

Garnacho has started Chelsea's last five Premier League games and assisted two of their three goals in a win over Wolves just before the international break. However, his place would immediately come under question if Rashford were to add competition on the left wing.

And that fate is looking increasingly realistic after Rashford's brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, is alleged to have held talks with Chelsea. El Nacional reported Rashford's representative was in London for negotiations, while Tottenham are also said to be in discussions.

Barcelona retain first-refusal rights on the player and can sign Rashford permanently next summer for a fee of around £28m. The player has enjoyed a resurgence in Spain and looks well worth that price-tag after contributing 15 direct goal contributions (six goals, nine assists) in only 16 outings under Hansi Flick.

The England forward is on course to reach double-digit goals for the first time since he scored 30 goals under Erik ten Hag during the 2022/23 campaign. However, United may understandably hope Barca don't convert his signing, fully aware they could fetch more for his signature today.

Rashford is reportedly done with United, or at least he's believed to be disillusioned by the prospect of playing under Ruben Amorim while he's at Old Trafford. However, a Premier League comeback may not be off the cards if Chelsea follow through in their interest.

Garnacho exploited Rashford's frictions at Old Trafford to help execute his own exit from the club earlier this year. The Argentina international posted a picture of himself wearing Rashford's Aston Villa shirt in June just as the latter concluded a six-month loan in Birmingham last season.

The not-so-subtle hint sparked outrage among many United fans and was interpreted as a transfer plea to leave United. Garnacho got his wish, but it's ironic that Rashford could now be the one to disturb his climb in west London.

Enzo Maresca appears to be a big fan of Garnacho's work and has handed him increased responsibilities in the XI of late. Cole Palmer's recent injury woes have helped his case, though he's at risk of being moved out of the starting team once the Englishman returns to action.

Rashford's Barcelona form hasn't been missed by Thomas Tuchel, who recalled the forward to England's starting XI for the recent 2-0 win over Serbia. Garnacho, meanwhile, has been left out of Lionel Scaloni's plans and is 12 months removed from his most recent appearance for Argentina.

While United would like to squeeze the maximum value out of any Rashford sale should he depart, selling to a direct rival comes with its drawbacks. And this may be one reunion in particular Garnacho would rather go without if it were to harm his standing at Chelsea.