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Xabi Alonso## Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso reportedly had a key role in the Blues landing Morgan Rogers
18:43, 20 Jul 2026
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso reportedly phoned Morgan Rogers and presented his tactical project in a secret bid to hijack the playmaker's move to Arsenal.
The Gunners are understood to have been huge admirers of the Aston Villa star, with Mikel Arteta hoping to sign the England international this summer and bolster the left-hand side of their attack.
However, Chelsea have swooped in and agreed a £117m deal with Aston Villa, with Rogers undergoing his medical at Stamford Bridge today.
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Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal were planning on holding talks with Aston Villa this week to try and sign the England star, after returning from the World Cup.
He claims that personal terms were not going to be an issue for Rogers and the Gunners, but that there were some tactical doubts about his role in the team.
It's claimed Arsenal were not going to offer £117m to sign Rogers, with their valuation in the region of £90m-£100m.
As the Gunners waited for Rogers' return, Chelsea are said to have had a 'very direct' meeting with Aston Villa in an attempt to close the deal.
It's claimed Chelsea's contract offer was for a longer length than Arsenal's proposition and Alonso's conversations with the player played a major role.
The Blues reportedly needed just 24 hours to sign Rogers after opening talks with Villa, while the Gunners were planning on negotiations this week.
Rogers is expected to sign a six-year deal, with the Blues holding the option of a further year. However, he will have a three-week break before linking up with his new teammates.
Once the transfer is finalised, Rogers will become Chelsea's record signing, eclipsing the £115m paid for Moises Caicedo in August 2023 and the £107m they invested in securing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica several months earlier.
Rogers is likely to set a new benchmark fee for an English player, surpassing the £116m Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson earlier this month.
Rogers is anticipated to be Alonso's second acquisition since taking charge as Chelsea manager, following the £47m capture of versatile Italian defender Marco Palestra.
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Chelsea have also secured Geovany Quenda, Dastan Satpayev and Emmanuel Emegha on previously agreed deals, while Argentina midfielder Valentin Barco is likewise expected to finalise a transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer.
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