Aston Villa prepared to back out of Alejandro Garnacho deal
Aston Villa are prepared to back out of their deal to sign Chelsea loanee Alejandro Garnacho permanently if his form doesn't improve, sources have told Football Insider.
The Argentine's loan move to Villa Park contains an appearance-based purchase obligation, but Unai Emery and Co. are prepared to freeze him out if needs be.
Garnacho has played just 31 minutes of football so far this season, and has been unable to convince Emery that he deserves a regular place in the matchday squad so far.
Sources say that Villa feel that the ball is in Garnacho's court to prove his worth, and they have already decided that, as things stand, they will avoid playing him enough to trigger their buy clause.
The youngster also has no long-term future at Chelsea, and is set to be left "in limbo" next summer if he cannot prove himself.
He notched 12 goal involvements for the Blues in all competitions last term, but is yet to show what he is capable of at Villa.
Aston Villa to hold their nerve on Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho scored in a friendly against Sevilla during the international break, but he has since been unable to build on that positive display.
He has just 11 minutes in the Champions League since that strike, and wasn't even part of the group that travelled to face Newcastle last weekend.
The wideman is already out of favour with Emery, and the club are prepared to hold their nerve and leave him sidelined if he doesn't improve.
They played out a similar scenario with Harvey Elliott last season, as they were determined to avoid triggering their buy option for the Liverpool man.
Villa have already decided that they will hold their nerve with Garnacho and ensure he goes back to Chelsea at the end of the campaign.
The only way the player will be able to change that is if he impresses Emery on the training ground and proves that he is worthy of a place.
Aston Villa also have swift 'profit' option for Garnacho
Former Villa chief executive Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that his former club also have the option of potentially selling Garnacho for "profit" next summer.
The boardroom expert outlined an avenue that could potentially see Villa trigger their purchase clause, and then attempt to flip Garnacho for a swift profit straight away.
Wyness is adamant that the youngster carries a big enough reputation to attract plenty of interest from European clubs, even if his stock in the Premier League is lowering.
That option is also on the table for the second city outfit at this stage, but that will also require Garnacho to turn his form around.