Manchester United allowed Garnacho to join Chelsea in August after the winger fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim, agreeing a deal worth £40m. However, according to ESPN, Chelsea initially tried to negotiate a player-plus-cash offer involving Romeo Lavia as part of the transfer. The Blues were prepared to reduce the fee if the Red Devils accepted the 21-year-old midfielder in return.

United assessed the offer but ultimately turned it down due to concerns surrounding Lavia's prolonged battle with fitness issues. The Liverpool-target-turned-Chelsea-signing has endured repeated setbacks since arriving at Stamford Bridge, meaning United felt he would not provide the reliable midfield upgrade needed. Instead, they pushed through a straight-cash deal, ensuring they secured a guaranteed return on Garnacho.

The Argentine winger struggled to make an immediate mark at Chelsea despite featuring regularly early in the campaign; however, he has picked up form recently. Meanwhile, Lavia has struggled again with injury and has been limited to minimal minutes since the swap-deal proposal was dismissed. For United, the decision highlighted a preference for avoiding long-term medical risks despite their well-documented midfield weaknesses.

United's refusal to move for Lavia stemmed largely from the club's growing frustration with persistent midfield instability. Senior figures inside Old Trafford recognise the need for a dedicated defensive midfielder who can provide structure, control and reliable availability. Casemiro's age and physical decline have increased the urgency to identify a long-term successor capable of anchoring Amorim's system at a high level.

Without such a figure, United have been forced into makeshift solutions that compromise tactical balance. Bruno Fernandes has dropped deeper to partner Casemiro, reducing his creative influence in attacking zones where he has historically been most impactful. Attempts to integrate younger options have delivered inconsistency, as players continue to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

In that context, Lavia's profile, a deeper, possession-based midfielder with Premier League experience, naturally held appeal. However, the defining concern for United was his track record of lengthy injury absences, which threatened to leave them no better prepared for the future than before. They require a near-ever-present starter in a demanding role, rather than another medium-term gamble.

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Those issues carried into the 2024/25 season, undermining attempts to establish rhythm or earn a consistent place in the squad. Lavia has never completed a full 90-minute match for Chelsea, and his total competitive playing time remains extraordinarily low for a player of his profile and price tag. This season, he was ruled out again after sustaining a quadriceps injury in the Champions League against Qarabag.

His talent, however, remains clear: press-resistant, intelligent, and proactive in defensive duels, with an impressive passing range for a player his age. Chelsea still believe he can grow into a midfield cornerstone once his body stabilises. For now, though, his availability continues to be a major concern.

Manchester United continue to prioritise the recruitment of a specialist holding midfielder who fits both their tactical plan and durability criteria. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Brighton's Carlos Baleba mentioned as potential signings for the summer of 2026.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will hope Lavia's recovery progresses cleanly so that he can contribute meaningfully in the latter stages of the season. The Belgian remains under a long-term contract and still represents a significant part of their project, provided he can stay fit.