Arsenal have missed out on one of the biggest transfer targets on their summer wishlist.
Morgan Rogers has chosen to join Chelsea after the Blues agreed a blockbuster £117 million deal with Aston Villa.
The outcome represents a significant setback for manager Mikel Arteta, who had identified Rogers as the perfect addition to his attack.
Arteta even held face-to-face talks with the England international, but Arsenal ultimately refused to match Villa’s enormous valuation.
It has now emerged that Arsenal were prepared to spend close to £100 million on Rogers after seeing an earlier verbal offer worth £80m swiftly rejected.
The Midlands outfit raised their valuation after Elliot Anderson completed a £116m switch to Manchester City.
The £100m transfer of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur further strengthened their position.
Spending £17m more on Rogers could have helped Arsenal add an emerging Premier League star to their ranks.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a superb 2025/26 season, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists from 55 appearances across all competitions.
The Gunners decided against overpaying and will now move to alternate targets.
Signing a marquee left winger is a priority for Arteta, especially after sanctioning the exit of Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Martinelli is also up for sale.
Bradley Barcola and Crysencio Summerville are on the transfer shortlist, although the club have yet to make any concrete progress for either player.
Missing out on Rogers is undoubtedly frustrating, but Arsenal now have the financial flexibility to pursue another elite attacker capable of transforming their frontline.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
