Aston Villa in Talks to Sign Chelsea Winger Alejandro Garnacho
Aston Villa has initiated discussions to acquire winger Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. The proposed deal is understood to involve a potential loan, with Chelsea seeking a permanent element attached to any agreement for the player.
The player has not rejoined pre-season training as he seeks to resolve his future.
Negotiations and Player Interest
The discussions between Aston Villa and Chelsea are described as advanced. While a loan with a conditional obligation to buy is being considered, the specifics of the deal are still fluid, and no agreement has been finalised. Unai Emery, Aston Villa‘s manager, is reportedly a significant admirer of Garnacho, having shown interest in him before his move to Chelsea from Manchester United. Emery is said to have pushed for this proposed transfer.
AS Roma has also expressed interest in signing Garnacho, and he has attracted admirers from the Saudi Pro League. However, Aston Villa believes it has made progress in convincing the player to join, partly due to Emery’s influence.
This potential transfer follows a significant deal between the two clubs, which saw Morgan Rogers move to Chelsea for a substantial fee. That agreement is separate from the current discussions regarding Garnacho.
Garnacho’s Time at Chelsea
Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United last summer. His first season with Chelsea saw him make 25 appearances in the Premier League, accumulating 1217 minutes on the pitch. This averaged to less than 49 minutes per game. During this period, he recorded five goal involvements.
In comparison, Aston Villa players Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia, who also operated on the left flank last season, managed more minutes in the Premier League, with Rogers playing 1528 minutes and Buendia 1527 minutes. Rogers averaged a goal involvement every 90 minutes, while Buendia averaged one every 190 minutes.
Garnacho’s playing style typically involves hugging the touchline and staying wide. This contrasts with the versatility of players like Buendia and Rogers, who can play on either flank and tend to move inside. If Garnacho were to join Aston Villa, it might necessitate adjustments to Emery’s tactical system.
Before joining Chelsea, Garnacho scored a goal in the FA Cup final for Manchester United against Manchester City while playing from the right flank. He made eight senior appearances for Argentina and was included in their preliminary squad for the World Cup but did not make the final selection.
Financial Considerations and Club Strategy
Chelsea, the current Club World Cup champions, have been active in player sales. The club has secured outgoings this summer that have helped cover the cost of acquiring Morgan Rogers. Players like Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, and Tyrique George have departed, and compensation from Manchester City for poaching Maresca also contributed to their financial position.
While players such as Reece James, Palmer, and Joao Pedro are considered integral, other members of the first-team squad are expected to leave. Garnacho, Nicolas Jackson, and Trevoh Chalobah are among those who could depart. Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, and Axel Disasi are also facing uncertain futures at the club.
Despite not participating in European competitions this season, Chelsea remains subject to UEFA‘s financial regulations. The club entered a four-year settlement agreement with UEFA last summer for breaching regulations and aims to demonstrate financial sustainability. Last summer, Chelsea generated substantial funds from player sales, and with a need to move on several defenders and at least one striker, this summer could see further significant trading.
The structure of a potential deal for Garnacho, particularly a loan with a conditional buy obligation, could be influenced by UEFA‘s rules regarding ‘player exchange transactions’. These rules cover a 45-day period, and the Premier League transfer window has 41 days remaining. A conditional loan would allow Aston Villa to potentially retain the full profit from the Morgan Rogers deal if the permanent transfer of Garnacho occurs more than 45 days later. Chelsea would also benefit from this structure, as they need to generate profits from player trading in the 2026-27 season due to their own UEFA settlement agreement. UEFA‘s rulebook states that if a condition for a permanent transfer is considered “virtually certain,” the deal must be recognised as permanent from the start of the loan.
Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United in a deal last summer.
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Source: skysports.com
