Alejandro Garnacho’s stay at Chelsea lasted just one season. The 22-year-old winger, who scored a solitary Premier League goal in 43 appearances across all competitions, has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2026-27 season with an obligation to buy.
The deal comes just days after Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers from Villa for a record £117m — a move that, combined with the arrival of Sporting winger Geovany Quenda, increased the need to reduce the size of the squad. Chelsea had been keen to offload Garnacho despite signing him only last September from Manchester United for £40m. United, who sold him to Chelsea, are due 10% of any eventual transfer fee.
“Alejandro Garnacho leaves Chelsea after one season, joining Aston Villa on loan with obligation to buy.”
Garnacho has already completed a medical in Birmingham and has pre-agreed a four-year contract at Villa Park if the loan becomes permanent. The obligation to buy clause is expected to be triggered if certain conditions — such as the number of appearances the Argentina international makes next season — are met. Chelsea believe the terms are easily reachable and that they will achieve their original £43m valuation.
His impact at Stamford Bridge was limited. He started only nine league matches under manager Liam Rosenior, and then under interim boss Calum McFarlane. Across all competitions, Garnacho scored eight goals and provided four assists — but aside from two goals against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, his other goals came against Qarabag, Wrexham, Port Vale and Cardiff City. He also lost the support of some supporters due to a perceived lack of work-rate, and was criticised for failing to track his runner, including during a home defeat by West Ham where he was substituted at half-time after being involved in the build-up to two goals.
Despite this, sources told BBC Sport that Garnacho remained professional and worked hard behind the scenes. In a late-season interview with Premier League Productions, the former Manchester United winger admitted he had done some “bad things” at Chelsea.
Garnacho becomes Villa’s fourth signing of the summer, after Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Modou Keba Cisse. Villa’s player sales this summer total nearly £200m, with Youri Tielemans, Donyell Malen, Enzo Barrenechea and Lewis Dobbin all leaving. The club is trying to balance the books while strengthening Unai Emery’s squad.