According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea and Liverpool are also vying for Aston Villa’s outstanding winger, Morgan Rogers. The interest in his services has grown in the aftermath of an impressive season with the Premier League outfit.
As Romano reports, both clubs have scouted the young 22-year-old player who has scored 14 goals and created 13 more in all competitions this season. Rogers was snapped up for around €8 million from Middlesbrough in February 2024 by Villa, and he has quickly become central to Unai Emery’s plans.
However, Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor says there is no way Villa could move Rogers at all, saying the player is far too important for the future of the club.
The 22-year-old fits Chelsea’s pursuit of young talent. Romano explained that he has come under possible consideration next to the likes of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. The Blues are also highly interested in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams. Of course, his reported £100 million cost and Aston Villa’s reluctance to sell are factors that put a damper on the summer transfer.
Romano also noted that Liverpool are interested and have expressly sent scouts to follow up on Rogers’ progress. Just like Chelsea, they have issues as Villa are very determined to keep their star in the making.
Gabby Agbonlahor has warned Chelsea that Morgan Rogers is not for sale
Aston Villa great Gabby Agbonlahor has stated categorically that Rogers is not on offer for any price, notwithstanding Chelsea’s supposed £100 million interest. The 22-year-old frontman has been brilliant for Villa this season, including a glamorous Champions League hat-trick against Celtic.
Rogers’ heroics earned him a senior England cap under Lee Carsley. His reliable contributions have made him a very valuable player in Unai Emery’s system, which is why Villa do not want to sell him. In an interview with talkSPORT, Agbonlahor said of Rogers:
“When people start talking about Morgan Rogers, there’s some players that you just don’t sell… Out of the squad of players Unai Emery has got now, there’ll be players they will say, ‘Nope, not selling’. [Emi] Martinez, [Ezri] Konsa, Rogers… nope.”
“Other players maybe they’ll say, ‘We’ll sacrifice’, but definitely not Morgan Rogers. What would Morgan Rogers cost now? £100m as a starter, then talk about add-ons. So I don’t think Chelsea, with their PSR problems as well, will be able to afford that.”
Even though Villa are under some financial pressure, they may liquidate other assets and retain Rogers. Chelsea will also find themselves constrained financially, which doesn’t help with recruiting the 22-year-old.
