Chelsea have won the race to sign Morgan Rogers after agreeing a £117 million deal with Aston Villa, according to reports. The 23-year-old forward was one of Villa's standout performers last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions, earning him a place in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup this summer.
Arsenal miss out on top target
Rogers was one of Arsenal's primary attacking targets for the summer transfer window, but the Premier League champions had not submitted an official bid to Villa. Now, The Athletic reports that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Villa over a £117m fee, with Rogers agreeing a six-year contract that includes an option for an additional 12 months. A medical is scheduled for Monday.
Xabi Alonso's role in the deal
Xabi Alonso is said to have played a key role in convincing Rogers to join Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season and will not compete in European competitions for the upcoming campaign. Rogers will become Chelsea's second signing of the summer, following the £47m acquisition of Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra earlier this month.
Impact on Chelsea's squad
The addition of Rogers bolsters Chelsea's attacking options as they look to rebound from a disappointing league campaign. His versatility and goal-scoring ability are expected to provide a significant boost to the team's offensive output.
