Chelsea have agreed a club-record deal to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
Rogers has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal before reaching a verbal agreement with the Blues, in a deal worth £117million.
The attacking midfielder will have his medical on Monday once he returns from international duty with England at the World Cup.
Rogers, 23, will become the most expensive English player in transfer history, surpassing the £116m paid for Elliot Anderson by Manchester City.
He becomes the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history by £10m, overtaking the £107m spent for Enzo Fernandez in 2023.
Rogers will reportedly sign a six-year deal till 2032, with the option for a further 12 months, according to The Athletic.
It is understood new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso was pivotal in the move, as well as the club’s project.
Arsenal had been keen to sign the Englishman as they aim to strengthen their Premier League-winning team.
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Morgan Rogers for £117m
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Rogers signed with Villa in February 2024 from Middlesbrough, with a contract that ran until 2030 at Villa Park.
He has been a standout this season for Unai Emery’s side, recording 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
Rogers was a protagonist in helping Villa qualify for the Champions League again, and winning their first piece of European silverware since 1982 with the Europa League.
He will join an already stacked Chelsea squad with numerous midfielders and attackers.
Rogers was a protagonist for Aston Villa last season
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The Blues have already done a considerable amount of business this window, with the departure of left-back and World Cup finalist Marc Cucurella the most notable so far.
Brazilian Andrey Santos has also left Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford as Manchester United look to bolster their midfield.
Where Rogers will play remains a question and a nice problem for Alonso to deal with, who has just surpassed a week in the Chelsea job.
Rogers’ good friend Cole Palmer plays in a similar position to him, both liking to be in the No10 slot.
It is understood that Xabi Alonso was pivotal in the move
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Palmer has had some well-deserved respite as of late after not being selected for Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
It is understood Chelsea are looking to sell Alejandro Garnacho this window, with the Argentine linked with a move to Italy.
Whether Rogers would occupy the left-hand side, in a front four that would likely have Pedro Neto or Estevao on the right, Palmer in the middle and Joao Pedro up top.
Chelsea still have many other forwards and attacking-minded players on their books, such as Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, whose futures at Stamford Bridge remain tenable.
