Chelsea have beaten Arsenal in the race to sign Morgan Rogers after agreeing a £117 million deal with Aston Villa, according to reports.
Rogers' standout season
Rogers was one of Villa’s standout performers last season with 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions and subsequently earned a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for England’s World Cup campaign this summer.
The 23-year-old was one of Arsenal’s top attacking targets for the summer transfer window, although the Premier League champions had not submitted an official bid to Villa.
Verbal agreement reached
Arsenal, however, now appear to have lost out on Rogers with The Athletic reporting that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Villa over a £117m deal. The report adds that Rogers has agreed a six-year contract which includes the option of a further 12 months, while a medical is scheduled for Monday.
Xabi Alonso is also 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 be in Europe for the upcoming campaign.
Second summer signing
Rogers will become Chelsea’s second signing this summer after the club completed a £47m deal for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra earlier this month.
