Report: Chelsea plot player swap to land Aston Villa standout this summer | OneFootball

Chelsea Targeting Aston Villa Playmaker in Ambitious Summer Move

Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to sign Aston Villa’s highly-rated midfielder Morgan Rogers, with internal talks intensifying around a player-plus-cash offer to bring the 21-year-old to Stamford Bridge.

Rogers, who joined Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024, has quickly become one of Unai Emery’s key performers. His seamless transition to Premier League football has not gone unnoticed, particularly at Chelsea, where recruitment figures are actively exploring a strategy to land the dynamic attacking midfielder.

Villa Braced for Interest Amid High Valuation

Aston Villa have placed a valuation in excess of £80 million on Rogers, who ended last season with an impressive 14 goals and 15 assists across 54 appearances in all competitions. That price tag is proving to be a challenge for Chelsea, who are seeking creative solutions to bring the cost down ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Villa’s sporting department are understood to be open to discussions involving multiple Chelsea players, with defenders Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and new arrival Tosin Adarabioyo among those who could be offered as part of the deal. Conversations remain at a preliminary stage, but all three players are available and have been mentioned internally as potential makeweights.

Key Figures at Stamford Bridge Pushing for Deal

Chelsea’s co-director of recruitment, Joe Shields, is said to be a driving force behind the pursuit of Rogers. Shields was involved in bringing the player to Manchester City’s academy earlier in his career and is keen to reunite with him in west London.

Although Villa have shown interest in several Chelsea squad members – including midfielder Andrey Santos and forward Nicolas Jackson – there is no suggestion that Axel Disasi, who previously had a loan spell at Villa Park, will be included in negotiations.

Sources believe Jackson could become part of Chelsea’s offer, particularly as the striker is said to be unsettled following the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, which have increased competition for places in Enzo Maresca’s forward line.

Chelsea’s Summer Plans Take Shape

Chelsea’s interest in Rogers aligns with a broader recruitment strategy aimed at enhancing squad depth and tactical flexibility. Having already added Delap, Pedro and Jamie Gittens this window, the club views Rogers as a versatile addition capable of playing as a No 10 or wide on the left.

The move is seen internally as a continuation of Chelsea’s long-term project under Maresca, with the club looking to blend emerging talents with established names to build a more balanced and dynamic side.

Importantly, sources close to Rogers suggest he is open to the move. Despite featuring in the Champions League for Villa last term, their failure to qualify for the competition again has made a switch to another European contender more appealing. Chelsea, who return to the Champions League this season, are seen as an attractive next step.

Whether Chelsea can strike the right balance between cash and player exchanges remains to be seen, but the pursuit of Rogers is clearly gathering momentum.