Morgan Rogers signs for £117m, your new record signing
It is done. Morgan Rogers is a Chelsea player. The club have paid Aston Villa £117 million, a new club record (3) (4). Arsenal valued him at £80 million and would not budge. Chelsea called, negotiated, and got their man inside 48 hours (3).
Xabi Alonso rang Rogers personally to get it over the line. That was the difference.
Lacroix talks moving fast, Palace want £60m
Chelsea are in serious talks with Crystal Palace over Maxence Lacroix (2) (5) (7). Co-owner Behdad Eghbali met Palace chairman Steve Parish at a New York hotel on Sunday to push the deal forward (source: Kieran Gill, sourced through Reddit fan reports). Palace want at least £60 million for the France international centre-back. Chelsea have offered around £55 million and may stretch to £60 million with bonuses.
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Alonso is here, and the squad is taking shape
Xabi Alonso has officially started work as Chelsea head coach (1). The summer business is already well underway. Incoming: Marco Palestra (Atalanta), Quenda (Sporting), Denner (Corinthians), and Emegha (Strasbourg) have all been confirmed (1). Outgoing: Andrey Santos has joined Manchester United for €56 million (1).
Cucurella and Tyrique George are also named among the early squad picture under Alonso (1). Nicolas Jackson is available for a fee well above £50 million, with Villa and overseas clubs interested (source: Nizaar Kinsella, via Reddit).
Marc Guiu likely to leave for £25m
Chelsea expect to sell young Spanish striker Marc Guiu this summer (6). The price tag is £25 million. A loan is also possible, but the club are prepared to move him on permanently.
Penders arrives, a future Courtois?
Chelsea have signed Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders (10). Belgian sources are bullish. Gilbert Roex, who coached him, compared his potential to Thibaut Courtois. "Chelsea have gold in their hands. People thought they were crazy to pay €17 million for him," Roex said (10).
Enzo Fernández, emotional after World Cup final, future still in the air
Enzo Fernández has posted an emotional message after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain (9). "Pain that cannot be put into words," he wrote (9).
Meanwhile, Marca are reporting that his club future is now a straight fight between Chelsea and Real Madrid (13). Alonso has publicly stated he wants Enzo to stay. That will be tested.
Villa eye Rafael Leao to replace Rogers
Aston Villa need a replacement for Morgan Rogers. Reports in Italy link them with AC Milan's Rafael Leao (14). Unai Emery wants a statement signing as Villa prepare for Europa League football. Manchester United have also been mentioned in connection with Leao.
Alonso wants a Fenerbahçe defender
Turkish outlet Fotomac report that Xabi Alonso has personally requested Chelsea pursue a Fenerbahçe defender (11). No name has been confirmed yet, but the interest is described as concrete.
Fan-reaktioner
The Rogers deal is the talk of the fanbase. Supporters are buzzing at the speed of the operation, Thursday to Saturday, done. Alonso's personal phone call to Rogers has been singled out as a sign of serious intent. The mood on the Lacroix talks is more measured: fans see the New York hotel meeting as evidence the club mean business, but Palace holding firm at £60 million has some worried this could drag. Read more on r/chelseafc.
