Rogers to Chelsea for £117m, your club missed out
Morgan Rogers is a Chelsea player. The deal was confirmed Tuesday, a British record £117m transfer from Aston Villa (2) (5). Arsenal had pushed hard for him. Chelsea won the race.
Rogers did not hold back. "For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I've always admired since I was a kid," he said after signing (2). "I'm really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we've got and where the club is heading. That's why I'm here and I can't wait to get started."
The fee surpasses deals for Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, and Cole Palmer (2).
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Straight into Bruno Guimaraes talks
Arsenal have opened direct club-to-club talks with Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes (4) (6). The move accelerated this week after the Rogers miss.
Andrea Berta is leading the push from Arsenal's side (6). Newcastle are reportedly mystified by the speed of it (4). No fee has been agreed yet, but the shift from intermediary contact to formal negotiations is significant.
Martinelli could be sold to fund moves
Arsenal are ready to let Gabriel Martinelli go (10) (11). Newcastle and Atletico Madrid are both interested.
The thinking is simple: offload Martinelli, fund a replacement like Bradley Barcola from PSG (9). Barcola emerged as the pivot option after Rogers went to Chelsea (1) (9).
Arteta wants John Stones on a free
Mikel Arteta is pushing to bring John Stones to Arsenal (8). Stones is a free agent after leaving Manchester City.
Arsenal need cover with William Saliba sidelined, and Arteta's history with Stones from their City days is driving the interest (8). Juventus have also been linked.
Reiss Nelson attracting Benfica and Valencia
Benfica and Valencia are both keen on Reiss Nelson (13) (16). Nelson is open to leaving England and his Arsenal contract is running down (13).
Sagoe Jr. assists in Sweden, AIK circling
Charles Sagoe Jr. provided an assist on loan at Kalmar FF (15). AIK are watching the Arsenal youngster with permanent interest (15).
Rashford on the radar but so is half of London
Arsenal are one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Marcus Rashford (12). Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Forest are all named too. Nothing close.
Fan reactions
Arsenal fans are taking the Rogers blow in stride. The mood on the subreddit is pragmatic: it stings to lose a target to Chelsea, but most are already looking at Barcola and Alvarez as alternatives and trust the club not to panic-buy (link). There is also quiet optimism about Nelson leaving with European interest, seen as a sensible move for both sides (link). Preseason hype is building too, with one month until the opener against Coventry (arsenal sub).
