Aston Villa near Garnacho deal
Aston Villa near Garnacho deal
Aston Villa near Garnacho deal
Aston Villa are in advanced negotiations with Chelsea over a deal for winger Alejandro Garnacho, with discussions centered on an initial season-long loan with a conditional obligation to buy. The structure of the agreement is still being finalized, but talks between the two clubs are progressing.
Manager Unai Emery is driving Villa's interest in Garnacho, having identified him as one of his priority attacking targets. Emery's long-standing admiration for Garnacho is thought to have played a key role in convincing the Argentina international that Villa Park could be the right destination. This interest dates back to last summer, when Emery was keen on signing Garnacho before he ultimately left Manchester United for Chelsea.
Garnacho has had a disappointing first season at Chelsea, scoring only eight goals in all competitions but starting just 14 Premier League matches. As a result, Chelsea are open to him leaving, and new manager Xabi Alonso has given Garnacho permission to stay away from pre-season training to resolve his future. The winger previously established himself as one of United's brightest academy graduates, making over 140 senior appearances for the club, but his relationship with United deteriorated before his departure.
Roma have also expressed interest in signing Garnacho, but their conditions are thought to be only on loan, which is not preferred by Chelsea. The Blues would rather secure a permanent sale, with a fee in the region of £43 million. However, unless Roma change their stance, Garnacho's chances of moving to Italy remain low. Villa, on the other hand, present a more realistic opportunity for the 22-year-old, and Emery is optimistic that he can revive Garnacho's career.
Villa have already moved to reshape their squad following the departure of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea in a record £117 million deal. The Midlands club recently completed the signing of Johan Manzambi from Freiburg and are now focused on adding further quality in the wide areas. Garnacho has emerged as one of several options considered by Villa, alongside Paris Saint-Germain youngster Ibrahim Mbaye and West Ham United winger Crysencio Summerville.
The proposed transfer is separate from Chelsea's club-record signing of Morgan Rogers from Villa, with the two deals not financially linked.
Villa are also eyeing a move for Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who played under Emery at Villarreal and was on loan at Bayern Munich last season. The move for Garnacho is likely to polarize opinion among Villa's supporters, given his struggles to make an impact at Chelsea. Nevertheless, Emery is convinced that he can get Garnacho firing again, and Villa can offer him the incentive of Champions League football in the forthcoming season.
As the situation develops, Xabi Alonso has stated that there is interest in Garnacho from other clubs, and the situation will hopefully finish in the best possible way for all parties. In the meantime, Villa remain in talks with AC Milan over the signing of former Brighton and Hove Albion left-back Pervis Estupinan, who is regarded as a straight replacement for Lucas Digne.
