Jonathan Rowe is in the middle of a summer race that already has two Premier League clubs pushing hard. Aston Villa have held talks with Bologna, Chelsea have tracked him for over a year, and Bologna are asking for a premium fee that could shape how quickly anything moves. Rowe is also open to a Premier League return, which keeps the door open for both clubs.

Villa's early lead

Villa are the only club in the picture that have already gone as far as discussions, but they have not made a formal offer yet. That puts them ahead of Chelsea in one sense and behind in another, because Chelsea's interest has been active for longer even if it has not turned into an official move.

TEAMtalk sources close to Villa put it plainly: "Aston Villa are ready to step up their interest in Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe as an upgrade for one of their own unwanted attackers, sources have confirmed to TEAMtalk, though they now face a battle to beat Chelsea to a deal."

The fee is the real barrier. Bologna expect to demand €50m (£42.5m, $57m) for the left-sided attacker, a figure that makes this less like a routine squad addition and more like a move for a club prepared to commit proper money.

Bologna's price and Rowe's output

Bologna's stance is easier to understand once you look at what they bought and what Rowe gave them. He joined from Marseille last August in a deal worth around €18m (£15m, $20m), remains under contract until 2029, and contributed 13 G/A, with eight goals and five assists, from 43 appearances over the campaign.

That is why Bologna believe they can ask for far more now. Rowe's output was not built on a tiny sample, and the split matters too, with eight of those contributions coming as goals. Everton have also made enquiries, which only adds more pressure on any buyer who wants to move first.

The wider Premier League pull is clear enough. Chelsea have the pull of a big club and spend, Villa can point to a fourth-place finish and Champions League football, and Bologna know they are holding the player with real market interest. For now, Villa have the head start in talks, Chelsea have the longer watch, and Bologna have the price tag.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →