Aston Villa lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea in a £117 million deal. Before the ink had dried, they were already asking the Blues about two more of their players. TEAMtalk reported that Villa held talks with Chelsea about the availability of both Nicolas Jackson and Alejandro Garnacho.
Those conversations took place during negotiations over the Rogers transfer itself. The two situations are at very different stages. Jackson is the genuine priority. Garnacho is more complicated.
Villa's interest in both players underlines how quickly they've moved after Rogers' departure. With another Champions League campaign ahead, Emery appears determined to replace that quality without delay.
Why Nicolas Jackson Is Aston Villa's Top Transfer Target
Jackson is more than just a player Villa have explored. TEAMtalk describes him as a priority target, with negotiations expected to accelerate once the Rogers deal is officially completed.
The reason Emery is pushing hard for the 23-year-old Senegal international is obvious: he already knows him. Jackson worked under Emery at Villarreal before making his move to Chelsea in June 2023 for £32 million.
That existing relationship gives Villa a significant advantage over any competing clubs. Emery understands exactly how Jackson operates and what he needs to perform consistently. Jackson scored 11 goals across all competitions last season for Bayern.
He is a far more reliable Premier League striker now than he was in his debut season, when he received criticism for missed chances despite still ending the campaign with 14 league goals.
Chelsea are open to selling. Xabi Alonso has his own preferred attacking profile and Jackson, at 23, carries a transfer value that would bring meaningful revenue for a club restructuring heavily this summer.
Villa believe a deal can be reached once the Rogers medical is completed on Monday.
Why Alejandro Garnacho Is Unlikely To Join Aston Villa
Garnacho's situation is entirely different, and Villa fans should temper expectations on this one. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Garnacho's name came up during the Villa-Chelsea discussions over Rogers, and that Villa officially requested him.
But Romano was equally clear that the move is not yet concrete and that Garnacho himself has made his preference known: he wants Roma and a move to Serie A, not another Premier League club. Romano stated directly:
"Alejandro Garnacho gives priority to AS Roma as his potential next destination, with talks ongoing with Chelsea. The deal depends on club-to-club talks, as Chelsea insist on a permanent/guaranteed exit; Roma offer a loan with a buy clause that becomes mandatory."
Chelsea are asking for £90 million for Garnacho but would accept £60 million for a permanent transfer. INEOS retained a 10% sell-on clause when they sold him to Chelsea, meaning Manchester United would receive a cut of any future fee.
The 22-year-old struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge, scoring just once in the Premier League after arriving from United. Although he enjoyed more success in the cup competitions, he never nailed down a regular place.
With Gasperini keen to rebuild Roma, Serie A could offer Garnacho the fresh start his career needs.
How Aston Villa Are Rebuilding Their Squad For The Champions League
The Jackson and Garnacho discussions are happening alongside significant business in other positions. Villa is not simply replacing Rogers and stopping there.
In midfield, Joao Gomes has already joined from Wolves in a £38 million deal, replacing the void created by Youri Tielemans' £35 million move to Manchester United and covering for Amadou Onana, who faces a long-term absence after a serious knee injury.
Swiss youngster Johan Manzambi has also been signed as a long-term midfield option. In defence, Villa are preparing for Lucas Digne's departure after Paris Saint-Germain indicated they plan to trigger his release clause.
Pervis Estupinan of AC Milan has been identified as the replacement, a left-back Emery knows well from his time in England.
Estupinan only arrived at Milan from Brighton last summer for £30 million, but the Italian club is willing to do business. Villa are also working in the goalkeeper market. Emiliano Martínez's future remains uncertain, with Juventus among the clubs monitoring his situation.
Robin Risser of Lens and Toulouse's Guillaume Restes have both been scouted extensively as contingency options. Villa's transfer activity suggests they're planning for more than just another Premier League campaign.
With Champions League football returning, Emery wants a deeper squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
