Chelsea Transfer News Today: Successful Arsenal hijack with second deal close

Updated: 18 Jul 2026 18:59 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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All the latest Chelsea transfer news in one place, including updates on Morgan Rogers, Trevoh Chalobah and Kerim Alajbegovic.

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Rogers hijack

Chelsea have hijacked Arsenal's proposed deal to sign Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, The Athletic reports.

The 23-year-old was the Gunners' top target and personal terms were thought to be in place, but there was no green light from Aston Villa, which allowed Chelsea to swoop in and reach a verbal agreement on a €138 million deal.

Rogers will undergo his medical on Monday and sign a six-year contract. Xabi Alonso was "instrumental" in getting him to snub Arsenal despite Chelsea's lack of European football.

Chalobah deal imminent

Como are closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, as per Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Serie A side had previously left the race for the England international because they did not want to get dragged into a bidding war with Inter. However, they are now back in the race after the reigning Italian champions baulked at Chelsea's valuation.

There is no agreement between the clubs at this stage, but the gap in valuation is not believed to be insurmountable. Como are currently offering a €30m guaranteed fee with €5m in add-ons, while Chelsea want a little over €40m.

Alajbegovic eyed

Chelsea have strongly entered the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Kerim Alajbegovic, Faktor claims.

Leverkusen have re-signed the Bosnia and Herzegovina starlet from RB Salzburg, but it is believed that they are willing to immediately sell him on for a profit again. After early links with AS Roma, Atalanta are now thought to be the favourites to sign him.

However, there could yet be a twist in the tale, with Chelsea having joined the race following the request of Xabi Alonso, who obviously knows Alajbegovic from his time at Leverkusen.

Lacroix threat

Arsenal are ready to rival Chelsea for the signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, CaughtOffside writes.

The French centre-back has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, with reports in his home country going so far as to suggest that a deal is all but done. However, Palace deny any agreement over a deal.

This has allowed Arsenal to also explore a move following the injury of compatriot William Saliba on World Cup duty. The Gunners star is expected to be out for several months. Lacroix could cost as much as €70m.

Paez returns

Chelsea youngster Kendry Paez is likely to have his River Plate loan cut short, Ben Jacobs has confirmed.

Reports in Argentina have been suggesting for several weeks that the Ecuador international will be sent back to West London after failing to make the grade at River Plate. Paez joined the club in January after struggling at Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg.

His spell in Buenos Aires was supposed to last 18 months, but he will now return to Chelsea after just half a year. The 19-year-old was previously the golden boy of Ecuador, but he only played 11 minutes at this summer's World Cup.