Sky Sports: Arsenal ready to make move for Premier League star | OneFootball

Arsenal Eye Morgan Rogers as Top Forward Target in Deal That Could Exceed £100m

Arsenal are expected to step up their pursuit of Morgan Rogers, with the Aston Villa attacker now viewed internally as the club’s leading forward target of the summer. According to Sky Sports, an approach from Arsenal is anticipated, although there have been no club-to-club talks with Villa at this stage.

The situation is clear enough. Arsenal admire Rogers deeply, Villa do not want to sell, and any negotiation would start from a very high level. The report states that “Rogers’ transfer is expected to cost more than £100m” and that valuation has been shaped by the wider market, particularly “the deals that have already been done in this window for midfielders such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.”

That detail matters. Once the market moves, every subsequent discussion is affected, and Villa are under little pressure to compromise. Rogers signed a new contract until 2031 last November, leaving Unai Emery’s side in what is described as “a strong negotiating position”. They have also “made it clear they do not want to sell Rogers”, which sets the tone before any formal contact even begins.

Morgan Rogers transfer stance puts Aston Villa in control

For Arsenal, the attraction is understandable. Rogers is 23, homegrown, established at Premier League level and now a full England international with 21 caps. His rise has been swift since joining Villa from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £16m in 2024. Last season he delivered 14 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances, numbers that underline why several elite clubs are monitoring him.

Arsenal are not alone. Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all credited with interest, which only strengthens Villa’s hand. In these situations, selling clubs often rely on two things, contract security and demand. Villa have both.

There is also a timing element. Interest is expected to intensify “following England’s World Cup exit and after a £34m deal for Christos Tzolis was agreed.” Arsenal’s attacking plans appear to be moving into a more decisive phase, especially with changes on the left side of the attack part of the wider thinking this summer.

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Arsenal transfer plans shaped by left-wing need

One of the more intriguing aspects of this pursuit is how Arsenal see Rogers fitting into Mikel Arteta’s side. The assessment from Sky Sports is that, “Given Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are also at the club, Arsenal are thinking of Rogers as a wide option.” That points directly to the left flank.

The report adds that “with Tzolis on his way to and Leandro Trossard departing, Mikel Arteta is looking to improve their left-hand side this summer and trying to get the England man as part of that change.” There is clearly a squad-building logic to it, even if Rogers has often been discussed primarily as an attacking midfielder.

His versatility strengthens Arsenal’s interest. “Around 45 per cent of his Premier League minutes for Villa came as a left winger” last season, and his career path has already shown flexibility. He has operated as a winger, a false nine, a centre-forward option and, notably, “turned out as a right winger in England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, where he assisted Anthony Gordon’s goal.”

That adaptability is highly valued by top clubs. At Arsenal, where positional rotations and technical intelligence are essential, Rogers would not need to be confined to one role. He would be bought as a forward capable of solving multiple problems.

Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola remain on Arsenal shortlist

Rogers may be the priority, but he is not the only name under consideration. Arsenal “remain interested in Julian Alvarez but a deal looks difficult to do”, with the report citing “the family’s preference to remain living in Spain and Alvarez’s wish to join Barcelona.” That leaves the move complicated before fee discussions are even factored in.

Bradley Barcola is another player Arsenal continue to track, alongside Liverpool. Again, “there has been no club-to-club contact between Arsenal and PSG”, though “the conditions of a deal have been explored.” PSG, however, do not want to sell him either.

In other words, Arsenal are operating in the hardest part of the market, high-end forwards with limited availability, long contracts and multiple suitors. Rogers fits that category perfectly. Admiration is one thing, execution is another. What happens next will depend on whether Arsenal are prepared to test Villa’s resolve with a proposal serious enough to start a conversation.

Our View

From an Arsenal supporter’s perspective, this is exactly the kind of ambition many will want to see. Morgan Rogers feels like a player on the rise, powerful, technical, direct and already producing in big moments. If Arsenal truly see him as the “top forward target”, then there is a strong case for backing that judgement and going hard to make it happen.

The obvious concern is the price. More than £100m is enormous money, even in this market. But elite forwards with Premier League proof, England experience and tactical flexibility do not come cheap. Rogers looks like someone who could improve Arsenal immediately while still having significant room to develop. At 23, he fits the profile of a major signing who could give his best years to the club.

There is also something appealing about the role Arsenal appear to have in mind. If he can play left wing, drift centrally and contribute goals and assists, he gives Arteta more unpredictability in attack. That has been needed. Too often Arsenal have looked a little short of variation in the final third.

Supporters will know Villa hold the cards and may simply refuse to engage. But if there is any chance of getting this done, it feels like one worth pushing for. Rogers looks ready for the next step, and Arsenal look ready for another difference-maker in attack.