Aston Villa are considering avoiding a permanent transfer for Alejandro Garnacho, a move that could leave Chelsea with a significant problem next summer.
The 22-year-old joined Villa on loan in July with a conditional obligation to buy understood to be worth about £43 million. Chelsea had expected the terms to be met relatively easily, but Garnacho has made little impact under Unai Emery so far.
Aston Villa could avoid signing Garnacho permanently
Football Insider reports that Villa may choose not to complete the deal if the winger’s performances do not improve. The agreement is understood to include an appearance-based clause, allowing the club to avoid triggering the obligation by restricting his involvement.
Garnacho has played only 31 minutes in the Premier League this season. Villa have reportedly decided, in their current position, that they will not use him often enough for the clause to be activated automatically.
That represents a change from the expectations surrounding the transfer in the summer, when Chelsea believed the conditions were achievable and anticipated receiving their £43 million valuation.
There has been a modest encouragement for Garnacho. He played 20 minutes in Villa’s 3-1 European victory over Viking, after which Emery said: “These were his best minutes with us. It is positive.”
However, he remains short of regular first-team football, leaving his future uncertain. Chelsea do not view him as part of their long-term plans, while Villa may be unwilling to spend £43 million on a player who has contributed so little.
For Garnacho, the coming weeks could prove decisive. A sustained improvement and a run of appearances would give him the opportunity to convince Emery that he should play a greater role and keep the permanent transfer alive.
If he remains on the fringes, Chelsea could instead see him return with his market value and momentum diminished, leaving the club to look for another buyer in 2027.
