Morgan Rogers is to join ChelseaImago
Published on
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20 Jul 2026, 4:00 pm
Arsenal will regret their hesitation in negotiations with Aston Villa for Morgan Rogers after the move was hijacked by Chelsea.
That is the opinion of legendary former scout Bryan King, who worked in senior roles at Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 23-year-old was said to be the Gunners' top target this summer but they have been gazumped by the Blues, who agreed a record £117million deal last week.
The midfielder has been with England at the World Cup but will now return to undergo a medical as he becomes the most expensive Englishman of all time.
Arsenal were reportedly hesitant to meet Villa's asking price for Rogers and hoped to wear them down over time, but they have now been punished for their inaction.
This summer was hoped to be one of adding extra quality for the Premier League champions, but only deals for Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis have been completed so far.
Ex-Tottenham scout baffled by Arsenal tactics
Arsenal's interest in Rogers has been incredibly well-reported this summer and he was thought to be keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the 23-year-old and even met face to face with him, according to reports.
But the Gunners did not want to meet Villa's demands to sign him, and likely hoped that issues with the profit and sustainability rules would eventually force them to lower their asking price.
That tactic has spectacularly blown up in Arsenal's face, with Rogers now on the way to their London rivals.
"I mean I thought Arsenal were making all the song and dance about it, why the hell they never just went and signed him when you're talking that kind of money," King told Football Insider.
"They paid £100m for [Declan] Rice so £17m more isn't going to make a great deal of difference for the type of quality you're going to get.
"You're going to get the mainstay of the England midfield. But again, hesitation can be a bad thing in football, whether you're playing or you're looking for bringing new players. They hesitated. Chelsea have hijacked it."
Rogers spotted in new images
On Monday, Rogers was captured by Sky Sports as he arrived at Chelsea for his medical.
The 23-year-old is expected to sign a six-year deal with the option of an additional year.
Exclusive shots as Morgan Rogers arrives for his medical with Chelsea ahead of completing a British-record £117m move from Aston Villa 🔵
Rogers is then expected to sign a six-year contract at Chelsea with the option of another year until 2033 📝 pic.twitter.com/LHC9CmeYYa
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 20, 2026
Middlesbrough will also benefit from the astronomical price tag, having inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that saw him sign for Villa in 2024.
The Championship club are set to earn at least £20.4m from this deal, having already sold him for an initial £8m, potentially rising to £15m.