Arsenal were close to putting all their eggs in the Morgan Rogers basket. Keen to make a major splash to bolster their attack this summer, the club underlined the England international as the guy who’d help them build on a first Premier League title in 22 years.
However, while the Gunners were hesitant to match Aston Villa’s asking price for Rogers, having agreed to personal terms with the player, London rivals Chelsea had no issue slapping down a mammoth $157 million (£117 million) to pip Arsenal to the post. It’s a fee the champions simply weren’t willing to pay, but the Blues’ brashness will force them to pivot in the market.
