Alejandro Garnacho is unlikely to be a Chelsea player next season.
The 22-year-old was absent for Xabi Alonso's first training session with the new Chelsea manager happy for him to move on.
Garnacho didn't have a great opening season at Stamford Bridge and has fallen even further down the pecking order following Morgan Rogers' signing for £117 million from Aston Villa.
And despite being wanted by Roma, the Argentine could trade places with Rogers following Villa's opening offer.
Aston Villa make opening Alejandro Garnacho offer
In need of a replacement for the recently departed Rogers, Aston Villa, according to talkSPORT, have made Chelsea their first offer in the hopes of bringing Garnacho to the Midlands in time for next season.
Unai Emery's side have offered the winger the chance to join loan in a deal that includes a includes a conditional obligation to buy clause.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea will agree to these terms having preferred to sell him permanently for £43 million.
It's also not a given that Garnacho will accept a potentially temporary switch to Villa Park due to his preference being to test himself in Serie A with Roma.
Emi Martinez has already given his verdict on Garnacho
Although Garnacho is a very divisive player and has often come under fire for his attitude, on and off the field, one player who has previously spoken very highly of him is Emi Martinez.
The Aston Villa number one has represented Argentina at international level where he has played alongside Garnacho on seven occasions.
Speaking in the aftermath of Garnacho making his senior Argentina debut back in 2023 — a friendly which saw the winger come on in the closing stages against Australia — Martinez said: "He is a very humble boy.
"He came, he works, he doesn't talk much. He comes in eager to play. He is a little star, hopefully we will help shape him and he gives us a lot like Angel Di Maria."
Since Martinez gave his early verdict on Garnacho, the young forward has been on a downward spiral.
He was excluded from Lionel Scaloni's final 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup and has lost his way at club level too.
Whether or not he can rediscover his form remains unknown, but if anyone can help steer him back onto the right path is Emery and trusted goalkeeper Martinez.
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