'Garnacho's wages make Napoli move a doable deal'

The relatively low wages Manchester United pay winger Alejandro Garnacho could offer an opportunity for Napoli to sign him in January, says French football journalist Julien Laurens.

Garnacho has been the subject of speculation about a move away from Old Trafford after reports in Italy claimed his representatives have met with the Italian side.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast, he said: "Garnacho is on very low money because he signed a contract with United until 2028. At the time, he was still a young player coming out of the academy going into the first team.

"I think it's a great idea to try and tempt him away from Old Trafford. If we believe what we are told and United want £60m for him and Napoli have only offered £30m for now, you could also see them meeting in the middle somewhere.

"It would help Napoli that Garnacho is on such low wages. If he was on Marcis Rashford's wages, there would no way they could afford him. "

Despite being linked with a move away, United boss Ruben Amorim said on Thursday, Garnacho has a future at Old Trafford and Spanish Football journalist and BBC columnist Guillerm Balague believes the 20-year-old is entering a key stage of his development.

"Garnacho thinks he's very, very good which he is sometimes but not always," Balague said.

"When he isn't very good, it doesn't seem to be his fault. I don't think he's dealing with the next step that he must give in his career in keeping working, being consistent and not blaming everyone else if things don't work.

"He is in a key part of his career. He can become a consistent top player but in my eyes, he hasn't done it yet."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds