Chelsea are lining up an opening bid for Alejandro Garnacho and could be left with a clear run for the Manchester United winger.

Garnacho has been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Napoli, but the Italian club are also now in talks to try to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi.

Should Napoli convince Adeyemi to move to Italy, then Chelsea could be the only club in the running to sign Garnacho before the January transfer window shuts.

Chelsea are likely to make an opening bid for Garnacho, having made contact over his availability and made checks on his situation.

There have been concerns over Garnacho’s temperament from Chelsea and Napoli, but it now seems the west London club are getting ready to formalise their interest with an offer.

United are ready to play hardball over the future of Garnacho, who they value at more than £50 million and are insistent they will not consider offers involving players they do not want moving in the opposite direction.

There is a belief outside Old Trafford, however, that the Argentine will leave United before the transfer window shuts and that Chelsea are currently his most realistic potential destination.

That could change if United dig their heels in over their valuation and Chelsea have made checks on other attackers such as Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel.

Given the choice between Chelsea and Napoli, it is believed Garnacho would favour a move to Stamford Bridge where his Argentina international team-mate Enzo Fernández already plays.

Chelsea’s interest in Garnacho has been prompted by a desire to improve their attacking options, particularly on the left.

Mykhailo Mudryk’s absence after testing positive for a banned substance has left Chelsea one player down on the left side of their attack.

There is also the possibility that Christopher Nkunku could leave after Bayern Munich made their interest clear, while João Félix has been linked with AC Milan.