Chelsea has signed attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a British-record deal worth £117 million, with the England international saying a direct appeal from new manager Xabi Alonso convinced him to reject Arsenal and move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea announced the transfer Tuesday night. The 23-year-old signed a six-year contract through 2032 with an option for an additional year.
The fee makes Rogers the most expensive British player in history, surpassing the £116 million Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson earlier this month. It also eclipses Chelsea’s previous club record of £115 million for Moises Caicedo.
“I’ve had a few conversations with him, and I think it’s important for me to be here that I need to understand what the manager’s like, how he is and how he wants to operate,” Rogers said in an interview released by the club.
“It very much fits with the way I see the game, the way I want to play, and the way I want to be me, and be free and express myself. Him being a part of that was a massive factor in me being here,” he said.
According to reports, Alonso phoned Rogers on Friday, July 17, and personal terms were agreed upon the same day. Rogers came away from the conversation convinced that Alonso was “the real deal”.
The Athletic reported that Alonso told Rogers he would be used in a range of positions across the attack and as a false nine, a role that appealed to Rogers. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who also spoke with Rogers, indicated he would be used predominantly as a left winger.
Rogers had been Arsenal’s top summer target. Villa invited Arsenal to match Chelsea’s bid, but Arsenal declined to go beyond an internal valuation of about £80 million, the report said.
Rogers also cited a personal reunion as a major factor. He will rejoin close friend Cole Palmer at Chelsea. The two have known each other since age 14.
“I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England youth teams and then when we were both at Man City together,” Rogers said.
“We’ve been speaking about this for a while; we always would love to have played together. So, for it to happen, we’re both excited. He’s non-stop ringing my phone, texting me, and I can’t wait,” he said.
Rogers added: “I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day.”
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for an initial £8 million, a deal that could have risen to £15 million. He made 85 league appearances for Villa with 40 combined goals and assists. Last season, he scored 14 goals and added 11 assists in 55 appearances in all competitions. Middlesbrough will receive about £20.3 million from the sale because of a 20 percent sell-on clause.
Rogers is the second signing of Alonso’s tenure since the Spaniard replaced Liam Rosenior. Chelsea previously signed Italian wing-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta for £47 million.
Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and will not play in European competition this season.
