Transfer news: Garnacho completes loan move to Villa, Leeds look set to win Trafford race

Alejandro Garnacho will play on loan at Villa Park this season. Pic: Harry Murphy/Getty

Alejandro Garnacho has completed a season-long loan move to Aston Villa from Chelsea.

It was decided earlier in July that Garnacho could leave Stamford Bridge after being told he was not guaranteed regular playing time under new manager Xabi Alonso.

He did not report for duty when the Chelsea first-team returned for pre season, with it having been arranged that he would stay away from the training ground while his departure was finalised.

The 22-year-old was told he was free to depart after a poor first season at Stamford Bridge.

There was interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, as well as from Italy. A move to Saudi Arabia was also a possibility but it will be at Villa Park where the winger will attempt to reignite his career.

There is an obligation for the move to become permanent next summer, should certain criteria be met.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have completed the £34m signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

The Greece international, 24, has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League champions and arrives as a replacement for Leandro Trossard following his switch to Besiktas.

Tzolis scored 43 times in 108 appearances for Club Brugge, and lined up in the Belgians’ 3-0 Champions League defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side last season.

In other transfer news, Leeds look set to win the race for James Trafford after they entered advanced talks with Manchester City over the signing of the England goalkeeper.

Trafford only moved to the Etihad Stadium last summer but, after he was displaced by Gianluigi Donnarumma in September, the 23-year-old became eager to seek a fresh challenge for the 2026-27 campaign.

Newcastle had been long-term admirers of Trafford, but the Press Association understands Leeds are expected to secure the services of the former Burnley stopper after negotiations with City accelerated on Thursday.

Leeds boss Daniel Farke has been on the hunt for a new number one after Karl Darlow left at the end of last season and back-up Illan Meslier moved on.

The anticipated move for Trafford would represent a major coup for Leeds, who finished 14th on their return to the Premier League despite a modest summer outlay.

Trafford had starred for Burnley during a battle for promotion with Leeds in the 2024-25 Sky Bet Championship when the highly rated England international conceded only 16 goals in 45 league starts.

After a difficult year at City where opportunities were limited, Trafford will welcome the chance of regular Premier League football if a move can be finalised over the coming days.

Newcastle have agreed a deal with Monaco for defensive midfielder Aladji Bamba.

The Magpies will pay €41m for the 20-year-old as they attempt to plug the sizeable gap left by Sandro Tonali’s departure.

Bamba, who made 23 senior appearances for Monaco last season as they finished seventh in Ligue 1, was expected on Tyneside on Thursday to undergo a medical.

Newly-promoted Hull have snapped up former Newcastle defender Matt Targett on a free transfer.

The 30-year-old has signed a two-year contract with the option for a third season after leaving St James’ Park earlier this summer.

Targett spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough and faced Hull in the Championship play-off final defeat.

Nottingham Forest have announced the signing of Xaver Schlager on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old arrives at the City Ground after spending the last four seasons at RB Leipzig and becomes Oliver Glasner’s first signing of the summer since he arrived at the club.

The Austria international started all four games in the 2026 World Cup and helped his nation to the knockout stages of the tournament.