Middlesbrough could benefit financially this summer thanks to Chelsea.
Middlesbrough could get an eight-figure cash boost this summer if Chelsea follows through on their rumored interest in Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers.
Boro sold Rogers to Villa 18 months ago for up to £16 million. The fast sale occurred just as the former Manchester City kid was beginning to shine at Boro following a slow start on Teesside.
Rogers has gone from strength to strength since going to Villa Park, with 11 Premier League assists last season, starring in Villa’s Champions League campaign, and winning his first four senior England caps. This eventually benefited Boro, as they earned additional money as a result of the deal’s agreed-upon performance-related bonuses.
However, Boro insisted on a sell-on percentage provision in the agreement, knowing that Rogers still had plenty of space for expansion. While the specific amount agreed upon is unknown, sources at the time characterized it as’significant’, and it may now increase Boro’s summer transfer budget by up to £10 million.
According to latest sources, Chelsea has identified Rogers as their next big summer target, with Villa valuing the 22-year-old at £80 million. Boro’s percentage clause is thought to be greater than 10%, so they might profit significantly if Villa are obliged to sell to the Blues, who have recently received a cash boost of almost £85 million by winning the Club World Cup.
According to the Sun, Rogers is now Chelsea’s #1 target for the summer. Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph’s Matt Law has linked the Blues’ interest to Aston Villa’s desire to sign Nicolas Jackson, who has dropped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the additions of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap this summer.
Law commented on the London Is Blue podcast: “I’m not told by anyone at Chelsea, but I’m told by people on the outside that if Villa do go for Nicolas Jackson, it will immediately trigger a bid for Morgan Rogers from Chelsea.”
Jackson will not be used by Chelsea in a swap deal to bring Rogers to Stamford Bridge because profit and sustainability regulations make separate transactions more profitable for both clubs. That implies Rogers might relocate this summer even if Jackson does not. The current expectation is that Jackson will move on, with Unai Emery interested.
Villa is rumored to be battling with PSR limitations this summer and is looking to sell. Their choice has been to maintain Rogers, since they have other sellable assets on their roster. However, Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez, and Leon Bailey have yet to get suitable offers, which may compel Villa to cash in on Rogers, providing a significant financial boost to Boro.
Boro’s sell-on clause is not limited to this summer’s transfer window, and Rogers’ stick is still rising, so Boro may expect to benefit considerably from Rogers at some point. The question will be whether it happens this summer or later.
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