Chelsea have made Tottenham Hotspur target Morgan Rogers a primary target in 2026
Tottenham Hotspur spent the majority of the summer transfer window searching for a No.10.
After a deal to sign Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed, Spurs switched their attention toward Eberechi Eze. But once again they suffered disappointment even after agreeing personal terms with Eze. Sluggish negotiations between Tottenham and Crystal Palace gave Arsenal a window of opportunity to swoop in and hijack the deal last month, with the England star snubbing Thomas Frank’s club to join the Gunners.
During the final week of the transfer window, the Lilywhites’ efforts to sign a creative midfielder bore some fruit. They managed to beat London rivals Chelsea to the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. In addition to Simons, Spurs were also keen on Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
Tottenham had earmarked Morgan Rogers as a potential replacement for the injured James Maddison. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was looking to land 23-year-old on a cut-price deal, hoping that Aston Villa consider selling him due to their PSR issues. However, that was not the case; instead, Villa scared them off by putting an £80m price tag for his services.
Chelsea plotting audacious big-money for Aston Villa star in 2026
According to an exclusive report from TBR Football, Chelsea have identified Rogers as a primary transfer target heading into 2026. The Blues recruitment chief Joe Shields knows the England international well from his Manchester City days and wants to reunite with him in west London.
Despite Villa not entertaining offers for the 23-year-old during the recently concluded summer window, Joe Shields has always kept tabs on him and maintained a major interest. TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey reveals that the Club World Cup champions were trying to sign the Villa star up until the final days of the summer window.
“Sources have told me all summer that Morgan Rogers was always Chelsea’s top midfielder target – Joe Shields wants him, and frankly, it has been described as ‘staggering’ to imagine him going elsewhere,” Graeme Bailey told TBR Football.
“Rogers hugely respects Shields, one of his best friends, Cole Palmer, is there, and it is an ideal scenario. Villa held off interest this summer for the attacker, but Chelsea are just waiting for Rogers.”
Spurs must revive their interest in Rogers
Chelsea would not be the only club interested in Rogers next year. Spurs has to be there competing with the Blues to bring in the 23-year-old, who has been proving his worth in a Villa shirt since joining from Middlesbrough in February 2024. The England international won the PFA Young Player of the Year for his exploits last season, when he racked up 14 goals and 13 assists in 54 appearances.
It will be interesting to see whether the Halesowen-born talent can replicate or better last term’s numbers at Villa Park. So far, Rogers’ impact in the new season has been minimal, affecting directly in the performances of Unai Emery’s side, who are winless after three games and lie 19th in the table.
Nonetheless, he will be a player in high demand, with Chelsea already making the Villa playmaker a top target. As far as Spurs are concerned, Daniel Levy must show ambition and lure Rogers away from Villa Park to north London before Chelsea make any advances.