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Chelsea receive transfer offer after Xabi Alonso decides to sell £40m star
Jul 21 2026 16:50 · By Ben Fleming · 3 Reads
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso is looking to reshape his squad (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have received a transfer offer from Aston Villa for out-of-favour winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports.
Garnacho endured a difficult first season at Stamford Bridge following his £40million 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 following spats with multiple managers.
Garnacho 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.
Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer does not appear to have brought about a change of fortune for Garnacho, with the new Blues boss confirming 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 of the 23-year-old for a fee of around £34m.
Alejandro Garnacho is attracting interest from Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)
Roma are said to be keen on signing Garnacho, but the Italian club could face competition from Aston Villa who have tabled a bid to sign Garnacho.
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.
Unai Emery is said to be a fan of the Argentine winger (Picture: PA)
Villa are also interested in a deal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who returns to the Premier League after his unsuccessful loan at Bayern Munich.
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 £65m asking price on the Senegalese striker.