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Chelsea preparing 'major summer push' to make record transfer for Cole Palmer's best friend
Suraj Radia
- 18 Mar 2026 19:19 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea are preparing a ‘major summer push’ to make a blockbuster signing that could help secure the future of Cole Palmer at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has been linked with an exit from Chelsea this summer, particularly if the club miss out on Champions League football, with Manchester United among the sides said to be interested in the England international.
However, Chelsea are determined to keep hold of Palmer and they may be able to convince the 23-year-old to remain at the club by signing one of his closest friends in Morgan Rogers.
Compared
Morgan Rogers
AM (C), M (CL)
Morgan Rogers
AM (C), M (CL)
A. Villa
VS
Cole Palmer
M (C)
Chelsea
Cole Palmer
M (C)
Chelsea
|
|
ETV |
|
| €53.8M - €65.8M | ETV Range | €87M - €106.4M |
| 24 years old (01 Jan, 2002) | Age | 23 years old (06 May, 2002) |
|
England
|
Nationality |
England
|
Chelsea have retained a long-term interest in Rogers and are preparing to test Aston Villa’s resolve for their star man with a big-money bid in the summer, according to TEAMtalk, regardless if Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League or not.
It is claimed that Chelsea are ready to ‘accelerate their interest’ and are ahead of rivals Arsenal and Liverpool in the race for Rogers, with Blues’ director Joe Shields having a strong relationship with the forward after bringing him to Manchester City in 2019.
Villa’s asking price could be a stumbling block, however, with suggestions that they would ask for a club-record fee exceeding the €117 million City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021, with Rogers still having five years remaining on his contract.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer: from friends to Chelsea teammates?
Both Palmer and Rogers built a strong friendship during their spells in City’s academy and the pair have often spoken highly of each other and their tight relationship.
“He’s one of the closest people I have in football and in life, one of those I speak to consistently,” Rogers said of Palmer in 2023. “When you see him doing so well, you feel happy and proud. To play against him is something special.”
Palmer, meanwhile, revealed in 2025 that he calls Rogers on FaceTime every day and the pair have had a friendly rivalry due to both of them using the same ‘cold’ goal celebration.
Both players may compete in similar roles if they both played for Chelsea although the Blues are said to be ‘adamant’ there is space to accommodate Rogers and Palmer in the team.
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