Garnacho joins Aston Villa on loan from Chelsea with £40m obligation to buy

Aston Villa confirmed the loan signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea on 23 July 2026, with a conditional obligation to buy for approximately £40m. Chelsea paid the same fee to sign him from Manchester United in August 2025. New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso did not guarantee Garnacho regular playing time; the player skipped pre-season while his exit was finalised.