Is Morgan Rogers Destined to be the Latest €100 Million+ Man?
Morgan Rogers could be on the move in 2026...
Transfer figures have inflated to eyewatering proportions in the last 10 to 15 years, especially in the Premier League, where even squad players are regularly transferred for around €50 million. However, there still appears to be a ceiling of sorts, with €100 million seen as being reserved for truly generational players, even 10 years on from when Paul Pogba became the first player in the Premier League to transfer for that amount.
In fact, fewer than 20 players have made a move for that figure or higher. Many of these may have flopped somewhat, but at the time of their transfers, they were in hot form that few could deny. In recent years in English football, their TV deals have made them a little more common among top-flight clubs, especially when young English players are involved.
However, one player in the Premier League looks ready to become the 20th player to transfer for €100 million or more. He ticks the box of being in red-hot form, but most of all, he ticks the box of being young and English. The player in question is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, and he could very well be on the move in 2026.
From Championship Promotion Battles to Premier League Title Chasing
Morgan Rogers' rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After beginning his career at West Brom on youth terms, he was poached by Manchester City in 2019 and sent out on a number of loans before landing a nominal-fee transfer to Middlesbrough in the Championship in 2023. He went on to help the Teessiders to a League Cup semifinal before being picked up by Villa just months after his arrival.
He has since become a significant figure in Birmingham, helping the Villans into a title battle that had previously seemed unlikely. Unai Emery’s side are considered third-favourites for the title at 28/1, ranking only behind Arsenal and Manchester City in Premier League betting, and that is largely due to the influence of England’s rising 23-year-old star attacking midfielder.
He has already scored seven league goals this campaign, following on from his eight last time out. That includes winners against the likes of Manchester United and Leeds. Moreover, his overall play has been so strong that he has now made 12 appearances for an England side replete with talent in his position. He is truly a talisman in the Second City.
Chelsea Eyeing Another Blockbuster Signing in Expensive Swoop
In recent years, Chelsea have been hell-bent on making as many €100 million signings as possible. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Romelu Lukaku have transferred to Stamford Bridge for north of that figure. In 2026, it looks like they’re ready to make another one, with Rogers on their radar as they look to a post-Enzo Maresca future.
Villa hold all the cards, however, and with reports suggesting Middlesbrough hold a “healthy” sell-on fee, which could see the Birmingham club have to pay the northeast outfit up to 25% of the deal, it will take a big offer to tempt them to sell. That has led to the youngster’s reported valuation reaching as high as €130 million.
The West Londoners have plenty of cash, if their recent transfer exploits are anything to go by, and they look to be among a handful of clubs that could afford Rogers. However, the fact that they are trailing behind Aston Villa in the Premier League may affect the player’s own decision and force Todd Boehly to stump up more cash to capture one of the most in-demand Englishmen around.
Title Charge Could End Hopes for Chelsea in Transfer Pursuit
Ultimately, the fact that Villa are very much in a title challenge likely means that the possibility of Rogers leaving in January is low. It seems much more likely that he will move on in the summer, but a finish in the Champions League spots – and even perhaps a title win – could see the Midlands-born player choose to stay in his native area.
Chelsea will have to hope that their form returns and that they manage to leapfrog Emery’s men. If they do, it could swing the transfer battle in their favour as they look to land one of English football’s hottest prospects and a young man with the footballing world at his feet and one eye on a plane ticket to North America in the summer.