21 July 2026·By [Paul Vegas](/author/paul-vegas)
Chelsea are ready to let Alejandro Garnacho leave just a year after signing him, with Aston Villa emerging as an unexpected suitor for the winger.
The 22-year-old Argentine has struggled to make an impact in west London since arriving from Manchester United last summer, and his prospects have not been helped by Chelsea's absence from Europe next season, which has left the club needing to trim their squad.
Chelsea are understood to be willing to part with Garnacho for the right price, and AS Roma had appeared to be leading the race for his signature. More recently, though, the Italian club have shifted their focus towards West Ham's Crysencio Summerville instead, opening the door for a rival to step in.
That rival is Aston Villa, who will be without Morgan Rogers next season after his expected move to Chelsea in the coming days. With Rogers set to leave Villa Park, Unai Emery's side are searching for attacking reinforcements, and Garnacho's name has now been mentioned as part of those discussions.
According to well-placed sources, Garnacho came up during the club-to-club talks over the Rogers deal. Aston Villa are said to have held preliminary discussions over a potential move, though it remains to be seen whether that interest develops into anything more concrete.
Garnacho remains under contract at Chelsea until the summer of 2032, giving the club no pressure to rush a sale, but his struggles for regular football since leaving Old Trafford mean a fresh start elsewhere looks increasingly likely.
With AS Roma's attention elsewhere and Villa now showing tentative interest, Garnacho's next destination remains unclear, though the coming weeks are likely to bring further clarity as Chelsea look to finalise their squad before the new season gets under way.
Garnacho arrived at Stamford Bridge with high expectations after several eye-catching seasons in Manchester United's first team, but he has managed only sporadic appearances last season.
Chelsea's willingness to sanction his departure so soon after signing him underlines how quickly his standing at the club has shifted, even as suitors continue to weigh up whether he represents the right addition to their own plans.