Chelsea stunned as Real Madrid tipped to sign Cole Palmer's best friend

Cameron Smith

• 12 Jan 2026 08:34 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has tipped team-mate Morgan Rogers to complete a move to Real Madrid in the future.

Rogers, 23, has been heavily linked with a Villa Park exit over the past 12 months, although rumours of a departure have died down slightly following his decision to sign a new long-term contract back in November.

Current ETV

Morgan Rogers

AM (C), M (CR)

A. Villa

Morgan Rogers

AM (C), M (CR)

A. Villa

€59.6M

ETV Range

€53.6M - €65.5M

View full profile

His new deal at the club now isn’t due to expire until 2031, meaning Unai Emery’s side are in a strong position to ward off interested parties during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Chelsea are known admirers of the England international and rumours suggest they remain eager to bring him to west London after failing to finalise a deal for his signature last year.

The Blues are keen to bolster their forward options and Rogers has been earmarked as their top target amid their search for a player capable of rotating with Cole Palmer in an attacking midfield berth.

However, Aston Villa are unsurprisingly desperate to retain their prized asset, while Watkins has now hinted that a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid may even be on the cards instead.

Ollie Watkins drops Morgan Rogers transfer message

Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Aston Villa’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, Watkins admitted: “He [Rogers] can play in the best teams in the world.

“He’s shown what he can do. He’s 22. I won’t be surprised if one day he ends up at Real Madrid or something like that.”

When pressed on that admission, Watkins added: “Yeah, because he’s 22. What other 22-year-old’s are doing what he’s doing in the Premier League? He’s big and powerful. You wouldn't look at him and say, ‘Oh he’s 22’.

“He plays like a mature player. So, I can’t speak highly enough of him, to be honest.”

Rogers, who actually turned 23 years old back in July and is close friends with Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €59.6 million, and he has already notched 14 goal contributions in 29 games so far this season.

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