TRANSFER RUMOURS: Chelsea hijack confirmed as €115m Morgan Rogers bomb drops

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours from 25 February, including the latest updates on Morgan Rogers, Ousmane Diomande and Patrik Mercado.

Villa could cash in on Rogers

Aston Villa could be compelled to cash in on Morgan Rogers this summer, according to Ben Jacobs.

In order to sign players, the Birmingham club may have to make a big-money sale despite overcoming the worst of their financial difficulties. Although Rogers recently penned a new deal, he is easily the club’s most valuable asset and would fetch the largest fee.

Chelsea remain interested in the €115 million-rated England international, but Liverpool are also firmly in the mix as they plan to make another high-profile attacking signing.

Man Utd in Ahanor battle

Man Utd are in a multi-club battle for the signature of Atalanta wonderkid Honest Ahanor, according to Tuttosport.

The centre-back, who turned 20 this week and is now eligible for Italian citizenship, has impressed various clubs around the Premier League and Europe, including the Red Devils.

However, Atalanta paid a €20m for the then-17-year-old last summer and will only part with him again for a monumental fee that reflects his massive potential. He has been compared to a young Paolo Maldini.

Mercado deal hijacked

Sevilla have agreed a deal with Independiente del Valle to sign Patrik Mercado, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea had been linked with the Ecuador international for months, but he is now on his way to Andalusia, where he will link up with the LaLiga side after the World Cup.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has come from the same talent pipeline that produced Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez, Piero Hincapie and Joel Ordonez and will likely be part of the Ecuador squad at the World Cup.

Palace drop out of Diomande race

Crystal Palace have given up on signing Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, according to Sky Sports.

After trying to sign the Ivorian for two successive windows, the Eagles now believe that he is out of reach after signing a new contract. He has retained his €80m release clause.

Diomande has also been linked with Arsenal and various other top Premier League sides, but signing him will now require triggering his whopping release clause.

Sallai to Liverpool?

The father of Galatasaray right-back Roland Sallai has sparked surprising links with Liverpool by claiming that there has been “contact” with the Anfield club.

Like compatriot Dominik Szoboszlai, Sallai used to be an attacking midfielder before being converted into a makeshift full-back in Turkey, where he has impressed in this unfamiliar role.

Liverpool have struggled with the right-back position this season, but a move for the 28-year-old would nevertheless come as a big surprise.

Other transfer rumours

Bestikas have agreed a €5m summer deal with Man Utd for Altay Bayindir. (Fanatik)

Lech Poznan will sign Celtic loanee Luis Palma permanently for €4m, only to immediately sell him on at a profit. (Adam Slawinski)

Arsenal are weighing up a big-money move for RC Lens forward Rayan Fofana. (Sportsboom)

Juventus are interested in Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Celtic are leading the race to sign prolific Plymouth striker Lorent Tolaj. (Daily Mail)

Man Utd are willing to break their transfer record on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. (TEAMtalk)

Teenage Ajax midfielder Sean Steur is attracting interest from Liverpool and other suitors. (TEAMtalk)

Football transfer news headlines today

TRANSFER RUMOURS: Monumental Arsenal bid as Marcus Rashford talks escalate

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Arsenal get Julian Alvarez boost as €120m price tag under pressure

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