Chelsea identify £100m attacker as top 2026 target, Joe Shields tried to sign him late this summer

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TBR Football understands that Morgan Rogers has already been identified as Chelsea’s prime transfer target heading into 2026.

Rogers is a player whom Chelsea recruitment chief Joe Shields is looking to reunite with, having landed him during his Manchester City days.

The 23-year-old has since progressed to becoming an England international, but Shields has always maintained a major interest, and TBR Football revealed earlier this summer that Chelsea were keen on Rogers.

Earlier this summer, TBR Football also reported that Villa valued Rogers at £100m, but the Midlands club were also adamant that he was not for sale.

Exclusive: Chelsea tried with late move to sign Morgan Rogers

Sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, that up until the final few days of the transfer window, Chelsea were trying for Morgan Rogers.

The West London club were aware that Tottenham had been asking about Rogers, and they were making sure that if Villa did consider his move, they would firmly be in position to swoop.

The Blues did bring in a new attacking midfielder on loan from Brighton, Facundo Buonanotte, after backing away from a deal for Xavi Simons.

TBR Football has been told that part of that reason was their belief and hope that they would be able to land Rogers in 2026.

Bailey told TBR Football: “Sources have told me all summer that Morgan Rogers was always Chelsea’s top midfielder target – Joe Shields wants him, and frankly, it has been described as ‘staggering’ to imagine him going elsewhere.

“Rogers hugely respects Shields, one of his best friends, Cole Palmer, is there, and it is an ideal scenario. Villa held off interest this summer for the attacker, but Chelsea are just waiting for Rogers.”

Morgan Rogers on his friendship with Cole Palmer

Rogers has previously revealed that Cole Palmer will text him after most of his goals to congratulate him, and the pair are still very close.

The duo have played together on 28 occasions for both Man City and England youth teams in the early stages of their careers.

Speaking about him back in March, Rogers said: “Even after every game, he’s the first person to text me or he’ll text me when I’ve scored, knowing that I’ll see it or he’ll be watching the game.

“So yeah, it’s nice to have someone obviously doing well and checking up on you and whatnot.”