Chelsea are in talks to appoint highly regarded Aston Villa set-piece coach Austin MacPhee but face competition from several Premier League rivals as well as clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Villa would be entitled to compensation should MacPhee leave, with the 46-year-old Scot understood to have a release clause in his contract.
MacPhee has combined his role at Villa Park with a position on Portugal's coaching staff under Roberto Martinez for the past five years. Martinez stepped down following Portugal's World Cup campaign.
Under MacPhee's guidance, Villa became one of Europe's most dangerous teams from dead-ball situations. They scored more set-piece goals than any other club across Europe's top five leagues during the 2023-24 season, before finishing among the top five the following campaign and ending last season level with Arsenal for the most set-piece goals in the Premier League.
His departure would add to a summer of significant changes behind the scenes at Villa Park after helping Unai Emery guide the club to Europa Conference League glory and Champions League qualification.
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has room to strengthen his backroom staff following a reshuffle. Bernardo Cueva, who joined from Brentford for a reported £750,000 in 2024 as the club's set-piece coach, is moving away from a touchline role to take up a more strategic, behind-the-scenes position.
Chelsea and Villa have already conducted major business this summer. The Blues completed the £117 million signing of Morgan Rogers earlier this week, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal that is expected to become permanent through an option to buy.
