Arsenal have missed out on leading transfer target Morgan Rogers after the Aston Villa attacker chose to join Chelsea in a £117m deal.
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Villa and are finalising the remaining details of the transfer.
Rogers is expected to sign a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, with an option for a further season. His medical is scheduled for Monday following the conclusion of England’s World Cup campaign.
The development represents a significant setback for Arsenal after Mikel Arteta made the 23-year-old one of his priority attacking targets.
Arsenal forced to reconsider attacking plans
Arsenal had held talks with Rogers and Villa as Andrea Berta explored a record-breaking move for the versatile England international.
As Read Arsenal reported earlier on Saturday, the Gunners were preparing an opening offer after making progress on their deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis.
Chelsea accelerated their interest before Arsenal submitted that bid.
According to talkSPORT, Arteta held face-to-face talks with Rogers several weeks ago. However, direct conversations with Xabi Alonso convinced the attacker to choose Chelsea.
Rogers recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances last season as Villa won the Europa League and qualified for the Champions League.
His power, versatility and ability to carry possession would have provided Arsenal with another option across the attacking midfield and left-wing positions.
The Gunners must now decide whether to pursue an alternative marquee forward or place greater responsibility on Tzolis.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola have previously featured on Arsenal’s list of alternatives.
Missing out on Rogers also leaves Chelsea strengthening with a player Arteta had identified as capable of improving his title-winning squad.
