Aston Villa completes Alejandro Garnacho loan deal from Chelsea with option to buy | OneFootball

Aston Villa have completed the season-long loan signing of winger Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea.

The 22-year-old was told in early July that new manager Xabi Alonso could not guarantee him regular playing time, prompting his departure. He subsequently did not report for Chelsea's pre-season, with his exit being finalised.

Garnacho endured a poor first season at Stamford Bridge following his transfer from Manchester United, failing to significantly impact the team's fortunes.

He becomes Villa’s fourth summer signing, joining Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, and Modou Kaba Cisse.

It is understood there was interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, as well as from Italy.

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Alejandro Garnacho becomes Villa’s fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes and Modou Kaba Cisse (Reuters)

A move to Saudi Arabia was also a possibility but it will be at Villa Park where the winger will attempt to kick-start a career that has stalled over the last two seasons. There is an obligation for the move to become permanent next summer, should certain criteria be met.

Garnacho scored eight goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last season but never endeared himself to supporters following his time at Old Trafford.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso previously stated Garnacho was subject to interest from other clubs.

”The situation [is] that we have spoken with the sport directors and there’s an interest for him from other clubs,” he said earlier in July.

“Let's see how it develops, but hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all the parties.”

The Blues confirmed the club-record £117million signing of Villa’s Morgan Rogers on Tuesday.

Chelsea have already sanctioned the sale of left-back Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, who sacked Alonso in January, for an initial £47.4m and confirmed the £48m departure of midfielder Andrey Santos to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson is back from his loan spell at Bayern Munich and will be given a chance to prove himself, with Alonso still assessing his squad.

“He's joining in the tour that we are starting in Asia, and we’re looking forward to start with Nico at that time,” Alonso added.