Chelsea are still pushing to sign Alejandro Garnacho as well as Xavi Simons, talkSPORT understands.
Garnacho is keen on the move to Stamford Bridge but United are pushing for a deal of at least £40million.
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Garnacho has long looked destined to leave Manchester United in this transfer window, who are keen to offload him after he was told to find a new club by head coach Ruben Amorim back in May.
The Argentine criticised Amorim’s decision to bench him in the Red Devils‘ Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Garnacho has not been short of suitors, with Chelsea long-term admirers having placed him on their shortlist in January.
The Blues’ recent transfer activity appeared to pour cold water over any interest in the 21-year-old, who have moved to strengthen in the left-wing position.
Their top left-wing target Jamie Gittens completed a £55million move from Borussia Dortmund earlier in July.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT understands the west Londoners are preparing an opening bid for RP Leipzig star Xavi Simons, who can operate either as a no.10 or as a winger.
But Chelsea are also looking to add Garnacho to their ranks, with their depth in this position not as strong as it seems.
This is because the Blues have few other concrete left-wing options beyond Gittens and the potential arrival of Xavi.
Mykahilo Mudryk is not currently an option after being charged with doping offences, and the club opted not to make Jadon Sancho’s loan permanent, while promising youngster Tyrique George could be sent out on loan.
Appearing on the Inside Devils podcast, Jacobs explained earlier on Wednesday: “Just because Xavi joins, it doesn’t mean there’s not room for one more.
“And the reason for that is because Xavi is viewed as a number 10, albeit versatile and can float out either to the left or the right.
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“But then if you look at the left-wing situation at Chelsea, Jadon Sancho was returned – another player that Manchester United want to sell.
“Mykhailo Mudryk can’t play at the moment. Tyrique George may be loaned, out and Geovany Quenda, another left winger, doesn’t join from Sporting until summer 2026.
“So even though Jamie Gittens has arrived, it might be Xavi and a player like Alejandro Garnacho.
“And this is where Garnacho is waiting, because he’s open to Chelsea and more broadly, he wants to stay in the Premier League.”
Aston Villa also remains a possibility for Garnacho, but a move to Chelsea could become a more likely option if United became keen on a swap deal involving Nicolas Jackson.
The Red Devils have identified their two main striker targets as Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko, with talkSPORT revealing they have opened talks with the latter.
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However, should they miss out on both, they could turn their attention to Chelsea frontman Jackson, whose situation they have been monitoring.
With United not pursuing on a deal for the Senegal international due to his steep £80m valuation, this chain of events could lead them to request a cut price for Jackson in exchange for Garnacho.
Jacobs continued: “Garnacho would welcome a move to Chelsea, and that’s why the door isn’t 100 per cent shut on Nicolas Jackson, just 99 per cent right now and certainly not something that Manchester United think is likely or they’re working on.
“But could there be a situation where if Chelsea come calling for Garnacho, Manchester United, if they don’t have Sesko or Watkins then at least inquire as to whether the Jackson price has dropped?
“I wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s just not deemed by sources as likely at the moment.”
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