Chelsea agree record £117m deal for Villa's Rogers

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Chelsea have reached an agreement worth £117m to sign England midfielder Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, a fee that would be both a Chelsea club record and a new high for an English player. The 23-year-old is expected to take a medical on Monday after returning from England duty at the 2026 World Cup, before signing a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge with an option for an additional season.

The reported fee narrowly exceeds the £116m Manchester City agreed for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer and surpasses Chelsea’s previous record outlay, the £107m paid for Enzo Fernandez in 2023. The move comes early in Xabi Alonso’s tenure as Chelsea manager, as he reshapes a squad that finished 10th in the Premier League last season and will not have European football in the coming campaign.

Rogers joined Villa from Middlesbrough in February 2024 for an initial £8m, with the package potentially rising to £15m. BBC Sport says Middlesbrough are due 20% of Villa’s profit because of a sell-on clause, earning at least £20.4m depending on add-ons. Villa are also losing Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, while adding Johan Manzambi from Freiburg and pursuing Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes.

Rogers leaves Villa after 21 goals in 85 league appearances and a Europa League-winning season under Unai Emery. His arrival adds another versatile attacking option at Chelsea, where BBC Sport notes he could compete or combine with Cole Palmer, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda.