Chelsea have made contact with Jonathan Rowe’s camp over a potential transfer to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to Italian outlet Il Resto del Carlino.
The 23-year-old English winger currently plays for Bologna, where he has rediscovered the form that first drew widespread attention during his time at Norwich City.
Rowe came through the ranks at Norwich’s academy, progressing from the U18s through to the U23s before earning his first-team debut under manager Dean Smith.
He made his senior bow as a substitute in the 68th minute of a 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace on 28 December 2021, beginning a journey that would take him across several clubs.
While Rowe featured 13 times in the Premier League with Norwich, it was in the Championship that he truly established himself as one of England’s most promising young wingers.
He claimed the EFL Young Player of the Month award in August 2023 and went on to win the January 2024 Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month after a strong run of form.
Rowe also picked up Norwich City’s Etty Smith Young Player of the Season for 2023/24 after netting 12 goals, cementing his status as one of the division’s standout performers.
He subsequently joined Marseille but endured an underwhelming spell in Ligue 1 before moving to Bologna, where his form has attracted interest from several top clubs.
Chelsea’s reported interest appears to be linked to the expected departure of Alejandro Garnacho, who attracted keen interest from AS Roma and managed just one Premier League goal last season.
Garnacho scored eight goals in 43 appearances across all competitions last season, and Chelsea are understood to be seeking a winger capable of improving on that output.
Bologna hold Rowe under contract until 2029 and are reported to be demanding a fee of between £34m and £38m, with Aston Villa also credited with strong interest in the player.
Rowe has not scored more than three league goals in either of his last two seasons since leaving Norwich, raising questions about whether he fits the profile Chelsea truly need.
Chelsea head into the 2026-27 season under Xabi Alonso with genuine ambitions, making the quality of their summer recruitment especially critical to their prospects.