Arsenal’s summer transfer window has taken a significant turn after Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers opted to join Chelsea instead of heading to north London.
The Athletic revealed that Chelsea have struck a £117 million deal for the 23-year-old, making it a record signing for the west London club.
Xabi Alonso played an instrumental role in convincing Rogers to choose Stamford Bridge as his preferred destination over the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea have offered Rogers a six-year contract, with the option of an additional 12 months added on top of that deal.
A medical is scheduled for Monday following the conclusion of the World Cup, where several players from both clubs remain involved in the tournament.
The fee surpasses the British record of £116 million that Manchester City paid for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer, setting a new benchmark in English football.
Arsenal’s attention now turns elsewhere in the market, as the club has also seen the £34 million release clause for Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy lapse on July 15.
The clause would have allowed Arsenal to sign Guirassy for just £34 million, equivalent to around €40 million, but that option is no longer available to the Gunners.
Should Arsenal still want to pursue the striker, they would now be forced to pay considerably more than that original reduced fee.
Mikel Arteta has already moved to address attacking depth this summer, bringing in Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier, and Christos Tzolis following Leandro Trossard’s departure to Besiktas.
Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus currently make up Arsenal’s striking options, with Jesus also attracting interest from elsewhere.
Arteta will also be keeping a close eye on the World Cup final on Sunday night, with David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi all still involved as Spain prepare to face Argentina.
