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Middlesbrough, who harbour ambitions of promotion from the Championship, are set to benefit handsomely from a sell-on clause they negotiated in 2024.

The Teesside club had signed former West Bromwich Albion academy product Morgan Rogers from Manchester City just six months earlier. Rogers featured in 26 Championship matches before Aston Villa swooped in to secure his signature.

The Halesowen-born forward returned to the West Midlands to join Villa, where he became a prominent figure in both the Champions League and Premier League. Under Unai Emery, Rogers played a key role as Villa captured the Europa League title, ending a three-decade wait for major silverware.

The 23-year-old netted Villa’s third goal in the Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul in May. His performances earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup, where he clocked 335 minutes as the Three Lions progressed to the semi-finals before securing third place with a win over France.

Following months of speculation linking him with a return to Manchester City, as well as interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, Villa accepted a record-breaking British offer of £117 million on Saturday to pave the way for his move to Stamford Bridge.

The transfer was confirmed on Tuesday evening, marking a rare instance of a deal that seemingly suits all involved.

For Chelsea, the signing brings in a highly talented player still young enough to develop further within their system. The club, however, will need to ensure that his transition is handled carefully to allow his natural abilities to shine.

For Rogers, the move fulfils his personal ambitions and reunites him with a manager he is eager to work under. While the Xabi Alonso-led project at Chelsea presents a strong pull, the absence of European football next season remains a drawback.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, part with another key player following the unexpected exit of Youri Tielemans but gain a considerable transfer sum for a footballer whose long-term future at the club was uncertain.

Given Villa’s need to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations, the nine-figure fee could prove pivotal as they look to refresh their squad in the coming months.

The massive transfer is also a financial boon for Middlesbrough. The club had sold Rogers for £15.5 million after acquiring him from Manchester City for around £1 million, and the sell-on clause ensures an even greater return.

Middlesbrough and Aston Villa agreed in 2024 on a sell-on clause, and despite talks last summer about Villa potentially buying it out, Boro will now receive a significant payout.

As reported by Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie, the 20% clause entitles Middlesbrough to around £20 million from Villa’s profit of roughly £100 million, taking their total profit close to £35 million.

Among Championship clubs, only West Ham United’s £85 million sale of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa’s reported £38 million purchase of Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Maxime Esteve’s £27 million move from Burnley to RB Leipzig have surpassed this summer’s figures.

Each of those selling clubs had been relegated from the Premier League in May, making Middlesbrough’s windfall all the more impressive.