Chelsea have opened discussions over a deal for highly rated set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa, although they face rival interest from other Premier League sides and clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Villa would be entitled to compensation if MacPhee departs, as his current agreement is believed to contain a fixed release clause.
The 46-year-old Scottish coach has spent the past five years combining his duties at Villa Park with a comparable role for Portugal’s national side under Roberto Martinez, who stepped down following the World Cup.
During the 2023-24 campaign, Villa registered more goals from set-piece situations than any other club across Europe’s five leading leagues.
They remained among the five best-performing teams in that category the following season before finishing level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League rankings last term.
MacPhee could become the latest member of staff to leave Villa Park this summer after contributing to the club’s Europa Conference League triumph and Champions League qualification under Unai Emery.
New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has room to reshape his backroom team because Bernardo Cueva, the former set-piece coach recruited from Brentford for £750,000 in 2024, is leaving his touchline duties for a role focused more on work behind the scenes.
Chelsea also completed the £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this week, while Alejandro Garnacho went the other way on an initial loan deal that is expected to become permanent through a purchase option.
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