£80m star topping Chelsea's three-man shortlist as Maresca eyes vital reinforcement – report

Chelsea have been eager on signing an attacking midfielder since this yr’s summer season switch window, however had been unable to safe a deal late in August despite longstanding curiosity in Xavi Simons.

Tottenham Hotspur hijacked the Blues’ deal for the previous RB Leipzig star and thereafter, Enzo Maresca was left with little or no time to signal an alternate of comparable high quality, having additionally been hampered by Levi Colwill’s ACL harm round that point.

In line with Caught Offside, Chelsea have made a brand new quantity 10 their precedence heading into 2026, drawing up a shortlist within the course of which incorporates Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Juventus star Kenan Yildiz and Olympique Lyon teen Malick Fofana.

Rogers almost definitely to affix Chelsea

Morgan Rogers may be the most effective positioned participant to affix Chelsea from Aston Villa subsequent yr, and among the many trio of midfielders on their wish-list, the English worldwide has additionally been the longest to have been linked with a swoop to Stamford Bridge.

Villa’s precarious monetary scenario may power them to do away with Rogers subsequent yr in a possible £80 million deal, whereas his Premier League expertise would maintain him in higher stead compared to Chelsea’s different choices.

Rogers can also be shut buddies with Cole Palmer, so though there could also be curiosity from quite a few different golf equipment in his companies, Chelsea would imagine that they’re within the driving seat to see off any competitors for the 23-year-old.

Kenan Yildiz would even be a strong signing and he has been making strong inroads at Juventus, however his switch might be simply as costly as Rogers’, so the Blues may desire spending on a participant who has an understanding of the Premier League.

Juve, nonetheless, have the Turkish worldwide firmly inside their plans and are unlikely to promote him any time quickly, thus making a switch to England appear to be an unbelievable proposition, particularly within the upcoming couple of switch home windows.

Then again, Malick Fofana can be cost-effective and a participant Chelsea would be capable of supply a really prolonged contract however his lack of output within the closing third compared to Rogers and Yildiz is unlikely to make him as a lot of a precedence.