Chelsea make blockbuster move for Premier League star minutes after signing Morgan Rogers
Chelsea have already set their sights on signing another Premier League star immediately after completing a move for Morgan Rogers.
The England midfielder has moved to Stamford Bridge from Aston Villa for a British record transfer fee of £117 million, signing a six-year contract.
Chelsea fought off competition from Arsenal to sign the 23-year-old, though the Gunners never made a formal bid.
The transfer fee is also a club record for the Blues, who will hope Rogers can form a lucrative partnership with his former Manchester City academy team-mate and close friend Cole Palmer.
“I’ve known Cole since I was about 14, first in the England teams and then when we were both at Man City together,” Rogers told Chelsea’s official website.
“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. I think that’s probably the most special thing, playing with one of your best friends and being around him every day.”
But as far as incoming transfers are concerned, Chelsea aren’t stopping there.
According to BBC Sport, the Blues have had a £64 million bid turned down by Bournemouth for midfielder Alex Scott.
Reports of Chelsea’s bid broke shortly after they had confirmed the signing of Rogers, with the club clearly intending to establish a young British core in midfield under the new management of Xabi Alonso.
Scott, 22, is one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars and was an integral part of Bournemouth’s side last season as the Cherries finished sixth to secure European football for the first time.
Alex Scott made 37 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth last season (Image: Getty)
He missed out on selection for England’s World Cup squad but was involved in their pre-tournament training camp. The Guernsey-born midfielder was an unused substitute during England’s 1-0 friendly win over New Zealand.
Scott has attracted interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool – who are managed by his former Cherries boss Andoni Iraola – among others.
He is also said to have turned down a new contract, with two years left on the existing deal he signed in 2023.
But Bournemouth reportedly have no desire to sell Scott ahead of their maiden European campaign, with the club having successfully kept hold of their key players up to this point in the window.
They are said to have told Chelsea that further approaches ‘would not be welcomed’, though it remains to be seen whether the Blues will try again.
Who else have Chelsea signed this summer?
It has already been a busy transfer window for Chelsea as new manager Alonso looks to reshape their squad ahead of his first season in charge.
Five players, including Rogers, are now through the door at Stamford Bridge, though deals for Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Dastan Satpayev were completed before he arrived.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that Chelsea may consider selling Netherlands striker Emegha, who they signed from Strasbourg for £22 million, before he even makes his competitive debut.
READ MORE: Chelsea considering sale of player they only signed this month as Xabi Alonso clearout continues
Right-sided defender Marco Palestra has also arrived from Atalanta for a fee of £43 million.
On the outgoing front, Marc Cucurella has signed for Real Madrid for £47.5 million, Tyrique George has joined Everton for £18 million, and Andrey Santos was signed by Manchester United for £48 million. Jesse Derry has joined Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan.
