Chelsea have agreed a £117million deal with Aston Villa in the race to sign Morgan Rogers, talkSPORT understands.
The 23-year-old had been thought to join Arsenal this summer, with the Gunners preparing a bid of their own.
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Mikel Arteta had made securing the services of the England international a top priority, with Villa anticipating an opening offer from the Premier League champions.
But their London rivals look set to land Rogers’ signature.
Chelsea in record transfer
The £117m fee is a record transfer for a British player – eclipsing the £116m Manchester City forked out to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest earlier this summer.
Rogers is now set to undergo his medical on Monday ahead of a switch to Stamford Bridge where he will sign a six-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
It is believed that the versatile attacker is keen to play under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso.
talkSPORT understands that Arteta met Rogers for face-to-face talks several weeks ago.
But the player has opted to make the move to Chelsea instead following direct conversations with Alonso.
It is also believed Rogers’ close friendship with Blues playmaker Cole Palmer has played a role in his decision.
With Arsenal missing out on their top target, they could now accelerate a move to bring in Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez.
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Rogers was a standout player for Villa in the 2025/26 season – chipping in with 14 goals and 12 assists across 55 games in all competitions.
He was also on the score sheet in the Europa League final as Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 to end their 30-year trophy drought.
‘Destined for the top’
Reacting to the news, a stunned Rory Jennings was every Chelsea fan upon hearing his team was about to sign one of the brightest talents in the country.
“This is amazing. This is amazing, isn’t it?” Jennings said on talkSPORT.
“This is exactly the news that we needed.
“If we get this over the line, it will be the best signing that we have made for absolutely ages.
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“Yeah, absolutely. Not only because of the player, I think he’s a class act. I think he did very well for England.
“I think he’s destined for the very top. But it would be such a message.
“You know sometimes when you sign a player, there is a statement that you make with that signing.
“He’s linked with Arsenal, the best team in the country are currently linked with him. And if we get him, if we poach him, not only is it brilliant for us, it’s brilliant the message that it sends.
“Xabi Alonso will clearly want him, clearly get him playing well. He must believe in our project. He must have been given some assurances. I think this is amazing.
“If we get this over the line, it will actually be the proof that Chelsea are giving Xabi Alonso the control that he needs. I’m over the moon with this. I really, really hope that we can get this done.”
