Chelsea reach verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign Arsenal target Morgan Rogers⁠ | OneFootball

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign Arsenal target Morgan Rogers⁠, according to journalist David Ornstein.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wanted the England international at the Emirates, but will have to look elsewhere.

A £117 million bid from the Blues has been accepted. Personal terms over a six-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, have been agreed.

Why has the Villa star chosen Chelsea over Arsenal?

The 23-year-old has opted to move to Chelsea as working under manager Xabi Alonso appeals to him.

Rogers is set to undergo his medical on Monday, and the Blues will be pleased to have pipped Arsenal in the race to sign them.

The Gunners have added French goalkeeper Illan Meslier to their squad for free after Leeds United released him.

They could also be forced to sign a new centre-back after William Saliba hurt his back at the World Cup earlier this week.

It will be intriguing to know who Arsenal will now look to sign after missing out on Rogers.

They are set to replace Leandro Trossard with Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis. However, the 24-year-old is unlikely to force his way into the Arsenal starting XI.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been identified as a top target. They could now look to make a concrete move for the Frenchman in the coming weeks.