Chelsea have received a transfer offer from Aston Villa for out-of-favour winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports. The bid comes after new Blues head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed he is willing to let the 23-year-old leave this summer.
Garnacho's difficult Chelsea spell
Garnacho endured a tough first season at Stamford Bridge following his £40 million move from Manchester United last summer, scoring just once in the Premier League. The Argentina international was once one of the most highly-rated players at Old Trafford but his United career stagnated after spats with multiple managers. He hoped to revive his career at Chelsea, the club he supported growing up, but struggled to make an impact under both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior last season.
Alonso confirms interest from other clubs
Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer does not appear to have improved Garnacho's prospects. The new Blues boss confirmed that the club are exploring interest from other clubs. 'We have spoken with the sports directors, and there is an interest from him, from other clubs, so let’s see how it develops,' Alonso said at his unveiling last week when asked about the winger.
Garnacho missed the start of Chelsea’s pre-season training, with the club reportedly keen to pursue a permanent sale for a fee of around £34 million. Roma are also said to be keen on signing Garnacho, but the Italian club could face competition from Aston Villa, who have tabled a bid.
Aston Villa's offer and interest
Fabrizio Romano reports that Villa have proposed an initial loan deal for Garnacho with an option to make the move permanent. Unai Emery is said to be a keen admirer of Garnacho and approved the approach, having tried to sign the Argentine last summer before his move to Stamford Bridge. Villa are also interested in a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who returns to the Premier League after an unsuccessful loan at Bayern Munich.
Striker situation at Chelsea
Alongside Jackson, Alonso has Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro as potential strikers, with the club keen to reduce that number ahead of the new season. Emery and Jackson worked together at Villarreal, with Chelsea reportedly slapping a £65 million asking price on the Senegalese striker.
Villa's approach follows record Rogers sale
Villa’s approach for Garnacho comes just days after the club agreed the record-breaking sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117 million. Rogers will become the most expensive English transfer of all time as well as Chelsea’s most expensive signing, eclipsing the £107 million spent on Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez three years ago. Arsenal had identified Rogers as one of their main summer targets, but reports suggest a direct conversation with Alonso convinced Rogers to opt for Chelsea instead. Villa are now seeking to replace Rogers, with Garnacho one of several players on a shortlist that also includes West Ham’s Crysensio Summerville and Ibrahim Mbaye of Paris Saint-Germain.
