Alejandro Garnacho has held 'talks' with shock Premier League club as Chelsea exit looms

Alejandro Garnacho is edging closer to the exit door at Chelsea, and according to reports, a shock Premier League club has opened talks to sign him.

Garnacho only joined the Blues in a £40million transfer from Manchester United last summer after being exiled under Ruben Amorim.

But the 22-year-old has endured a nightmare time at Stamford Bridge, scoring just eight goals in 43 appearances in his first campaign.

Xabi Alonso has since opened the door for Garnacho to leave Chelsea, confirming in his first press conference that the Argentine isn't a part of his long-term plans.

The fleet-footed winger didn't even report to training once those not involved in the World Cup returned to Cobham, and since then, multiple clubs have shown an interest in his signature.

Roma tabled an offer for Garnacho last week, proposing an initial loan move with an obligation to buy him for €35m if certain conditions are met.

Chelsea's preference is to sell the eight-cap Argentina international, valuing him at around £43m, with clubs in Saudi Arabia and the Premier League circling.

According to The Athletic, Aston Villa have held 'talks' over the possibility of signing Garnacho as they aim to replace Morgan Rogers.

Villa accepted a British record £117m from Chelsea for Rogers on Saturday, and Unai Emery is now in the market to replace him.

Garnacho is seen as a potential option alongside West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville and PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye, though it is said that their pursuit of the Blues No.49 would end negotiations for both Summerville and Mbaye.

The same report adds that, if they decide against the wantaway Chelsea winger, they could capture his teammate Nicolas Jackson instead.

Emery is a long-term admirer of the Senegal international, having previously coached him at Villarreal, and he could attempt to prise the 24-year-old to the Midlands.

"His attitude as well was fantastic," the Spaniard said of Jackson in December 2024.

"He was always learning. He was always demanding to train more, to be focused. He was also being a professional every day out of training sessions at home because he was focused on football like the first priority in his life."

What Emi Martinez has said about Alejandro Garnacho

Garnacho is entering a pivotal period of his career. Although he's still only 22, the next move has to go positively; otherwise, he could go down a slippery slope.

The chance to work under a manager like Emery could be exactly what he needs to get his mentality back on track and rediscover the electric talent that saw him initially impress at Manchester United.

Depending on whether Villa pursue a deal for the winger, Garnacho could link up with international teammate Emi Martinez, who has previously waxed lyrical over his talent.

"He is a very humble guy. He came to work; he didn't talk a lot. He is very eager to play. The truth is that he's a little treasure and I hope we can mould him so that he gives us as much as Angel Di Maria," Martinez said of the Chelsea star in June 2023.

Martinez ironically labelled him a "humble guy" at the time, and he's since gone on to be the opposite, with multiple incidents blighting his chances of progressing.

Garnacho once stormed down the tunnel instead of joining the bench after being substituted against Ipswich Town in early 2025 and publicly aired his grievances on social media against Amorim last year.