Garnacho to Villa, done
Alejandro Garnacho is leaving. Aston Villa have agreed a loan deal for the winger until the end of the 2026-27 season, with a conditional obligation to buy (2) (5) (9). Romano confirmed it with his "here we go" and all documents are signed (5). The deal was reached after Villa sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a British record £117m, and Garnacho now heads the other way.
Alex Scott wants the move
Alex Scott is keen to join Chelsea after a £64m bid was rejected by Bournemouth (3). Bournemouth value the England midfielder at £80m and had been confident they could tie him to a new deal, but talks have slowed and Scott now wants out (3). Arsenal and Manchester City have also shown interest but have not made a formal approach yet (3).
John Stones, a free agent on the radar
Chelsea are pushing to sign John Stones on a free transfer (10). The former Manchester City defender is available, and Arsenal are also in the race (10). The move would add experience to a backline already being reshaped under Xabi Alonso.
PSG offer Zabarnyi, Brown monitored
Paris Saint-Germain have offered Illia Zabarnyi to Chelsea (14). The centre-back is Premier League-proven, and Liverpool are also in the picture (14). Separately, Chelsea are one of the English clubs monitoring Fenerbahçe defender Archie Brown (15). No bid yet.
"The biggest club in London"
Morgan Rogers did not hold back after his £117m move. "For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid," he said (8). The 23-year-old signed a seven-year deal and becomes the most expensive English footballer ever at €137m (11). He also becomes the latest former Manchester City academy graduate to land at Stamford Bridge, following Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and others (7).
Fan reactions
The mood among supporters is buzzing. Valentín Barco's announcement is imminent, and fans are treating it as a formality after Romano confirmed all documents are signed. The Lacroix pursuit is dominating discussion too, with multiple threads tracking every negotiation update from Romano and Kinsella. The sense is that Alonso's squad is taking real shape, with Barco, Lacroix, and potentially one more big midfield signing still to come. Read the full Barco thread here.
