July 20 – Chelsea have smashed their transfer record after agreeing a £117 million deal to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, with the 23-year-old completing his medical in London this morning ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge. Sky Sports published footage on 20 July showing Rogers arriving for the medical after the two clubs agreed the fee.
According to Ben Jacobs, Rogers is undergoing his Chelsea medical before signing a six-year contract containing an option for an additional season. The Blues reached a £117million agreement with Villa over the weekend for the 23-year-old, who is set to sign a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with the option of a further 12 months. Chelsea and Alonso like his ability to play on the left, right, as a ‘No 10’, ‘false nine’ and deeper in midfield.
The move for Rogers was agreed in 48 hours, according to sources with understanding of the deal, speaking anonymously — as have others in this article — to protect relationships. They say Chelsea began formal negotiations with Villa and Rogers’ representatives on Thursday, a day after England’s semi-final defeat against Argentina. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso then phoned Rogers on Friday to explain his plans and personal terms were agreed the same day. Club captain Reece James spoke with Rogers in the England camp, and close friend Cole Palmer reached out by text.
For several weeks, Arsenal seemed to be favourites, but instead, Rogers is heading to their London rivals. Morgan Rogers rejected Premier League champions Arsenal and a direct pitch from Mikel Arteta in favour of a move to Chelsea.