Chelsea hijack Arsenal’s £117m Morgan Rogers deal as Gunners turn to Tzolis

Chelsea have hijacked Arsenal’s long-standing pursuit of Aston Villa playmaker Morgan Rogers, agreeing a deal reported to be worth £117million as the Premier League champions were left scrambling for an alternative. Rogers is set to undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge on Monday, having spent two and a half seasons establishing himself as one of Villa’s most creative influences.

Arsenal had made the 23-year-old a priority target this summer as they looked to add further attacking quality following their title triumph, but Chelsea moved decisively behind the scenes to complete the deal. Villa are understood to have been aware of Chelsea’s interest for some time, even while continuing separate talks with Arsenal over the same player.

Arsenal switch focus to Tzolis

Having lost out on Rogers, Arsenal have quickly turned their attention elsewhere and have agreed personal terms with a forward target, with a medical understood to have been arranged. The Gunners remain in the market for further reinforcements too, with interest persisting in Villa defender Ezri Konsa as cover following William Saliba’s injury, while a move for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has also been mentioned as part of their wider summer plans.

The swift pivot underlines how quickly clubs are having to react as the transfer window accelerates with pre-season now firmly in view, following the conclusion of the World Cup.

United eye midfield reinforcements

Manchester United, despite already strengthening their engine room this summer with the signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, are continuing to scout the midfield market. Contact has reportedly been made with representatives of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson, while United are also preparing a bid for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone as they look to add further depth ahead of the new campaign.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have been examining defensive options too, having been given a price for Wolfsburg’s Maxence Lacroix while also weighing up a possible loan move for Mamadou Sarr as they continue to reshape their squad following the Rogers deal.

Liverpool and Tottenham also busy

Liverpool have moved to secure the long-term future of Dominik Szoboszlai with a new contract, while continuing to explore the forward market amid reported interest in Bradley Barcola as they look to add further firepower to Arne Slot’s squad.

Tottenham Hotspur, who have already spent more than £200million this summer, remain active in the market despite rejecting an offer from Newcastle United for midfielder Lucas Bergvall. Spurs are understood to be assessing further additions as they aim to build on last season’s progress under Thomas Frank.

With clubs across the top of the Premier League table all in the midst of significant business, the coming days are expected to bring further movement as sides finalise their squads before the new season gets under way.

Sources

• Evening Standard
• The Mirror

This is an independent report written from the facts across the sources named above.