Aston Villa have entered talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea, with the current proposal centred on a loan move though Chelsea are pushing for a permanent obligation to be built into any deal. The talks come hot on the heels of Chelsea’s British-record £117 million deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Villa, a swap of sorts that has reshaped both clubs’ attacking options this summer.
Deal Terms Under Discussion
Chelsea are understood to be willing to let Garnacho leave for £42.7 million (around €50m) this window. New head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed at his unveiling last week that the club are working closely with the winger and his representatives to find a resolution that suits everyone involved an indication that his Stamford Bridge future is far from settled.
Roma have also been credited with interest in Garnacho, and he’s said to have suitors in the Saudi Pro League too. The Argentine has not yet returned for Chelsea’s pre-season training as he waits for clarity on his next move.
Would Garnacho Actually Fit at Villa Park?
Sky Sports analysis suggests the transition wouldn’t necessarily be straightforward. Garnacho endured a difficult first season at Chelsea, managing just 1,217 Premier League minutes across 25 appearances an average of under 49 minutes per game in an already crowded left-hand side.
By comparison, both Morgan Rogers (1,528 minutes) and Emiliano Buendia (1,527 minutes) logged considerably more time sharing that same left-flank role for Villa last season, and their output was sharper too Rogers averaged a goal involvement every 90 minutes and Buendia every 190, compared to Garnacho’s rate of one every 243 minutes from five total goal involvements.
There’s also a stylistic question. Rogers and Buendia both show real versatility, capable of playing either flank and regularly cutting inside from the left. Garnacho, in contrast, has typically stuck to the touchline and stayed wide he did score playing off the right in Manchester United’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City, but cutting inside is not a regular part of his game. Bringing him to Villa Park would likely require Unai Emery to adapt his attacking patterns, or for Garnacho himself to add a new dimension to his play.
Why Chelsea Can Afford to Let Him Go
Chelsea’s ability to fund a £117 million deal for Rogers, despite being Club World Cup champions, is largely down to their now well-established trading model under the BlueCo ownership group. The club have already raised close to £130 million this summer through sales including Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos and Tyrique George, with compensation received from Manchester City over Enzo Maresca’s departure adding further funds.
Reece James, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro are considered untouchable, but several other first-team names look set to generate significant fees this summer Garnacho, Nicolas Jackson and Trevoh Chalobah could together bring in around another £100 million if all depart. Right-back Malo Gusto’s future is also uncertain, with Chelsea valuing him at roughly £75 million, while defenders Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi are also expected to leave.
Even without European football this season, Chelsea remain bound by UEFA’s stricter financial regulations following a four-year settlement agreement entered into last summer over previous breaches, meaning continued evidence of financial sustainability will be closely watched. Having already generated around £300 million from sales last summer, another active trading window looks likely as Chelsea continue trimming a squad with several defenders and at least one forward considered surplus to requirements.
Quick Facts: Garnacho to Villa
- Proposed structure: Loan with Chelsea seeking a permanent obligation attached
- Chelsea’s asking price: £42.7m (~€50m)
- Garnacho’s 2025/26 Chelsea minutes: 1,217 in 25 appearances
- Compare — Rogers/Buendia minutes (Villa, same season): 1,528 / 1,527
- Related deal: Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, £117m (British record)
- Other Garnacho suitors: Roma, Saudi Pro League interest
