Morgan Rogers makes Arsenal transfer decision after Chelsea and Man Utd interest
Morgan Rogers is reportedly ‘quite keen’ to join Arsenal this summer after discussing the move with England World Cup teammate Declan Rice.
Mikel Arteta has made Rogers one of his top targets this summer after the 23-year-old enjoyed another impressive season at Villa Park.
Rogers scored 14 goals and made 11 assists in all competitions to help Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League.
Arsenal are not alone in showing interest in Rogers, who is currently at the World Cup with England, and face competition from Manchester United and Chelsea.
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But The Times say new Premier League champions Arsenal are set to ‘accelerate’ interest in Rogers as they bid to win the transfer race for one of the most in-demand players in Europe.
It is claimed Arsenal are also ‘confident’ they can see off competition from Premier League rivals United and Chelsea.
A move to Old Trafford would reunite Rogers with his former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, who is keen to bolster his options in midfield following Casemiro’s departure.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen in a number of areas as Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Rogers, speaking from England’s World Cup camp earlier in the month, insisted his sole focus was on his international commitments rather than speculation over his future.
But it was reported last week that Arsenal and England midfielder Rice was doing all he can to persuade Rogers to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Rogers is ‘quite keen’ on the transfer and claims the deal is ‘advanced’ on the player’s side.
While Arsenal should have no problem agreeing a deal with Rogers, they still need to reach an agreement with Aston Villa, who reportedly want at least £100m for the midfielder.
Rogers, who came on as a substitute in England’s World Cup opener against Croatia, could operate on Arsenal’s left flank or a more central role.
Despite rating Rogers highly, Jermaine Jenas has questioned Arsenal’s move and says it ‘makes no sense’ unless players are set to leave the champions.
‘I mean Morgan Rogers has been one of the players of the season for Aston Villa,’ he told 10bet. ‘I just don’t know… look, Villa are a very good team right now.
‘It all depends on what’s happening at Villa financially, because at the start of last year, they were having some issues with regards to who they could buy and who they had to let go to balance the books.
‘There was talk about Morgan Rogers going everywhere at one point. But if they’ve managed to balance things out, their plan should be to strengthen and build on breaking into the elite.
‘They’ve got Champions League football secured now on the basis of winning the Europa League, and Unai Emery strikes me as a person who just wants more and more.
‘If you look at Martin Odegaard and the way they set up – unless someone is leaving, what’s really the point of Rogers going there?
‘We’ve kind of seen what’s happened to Emile Smith Rowe; granted, he’s a top player, but he wasn’t playing week-in, week-out.
‘It would have to be on the basis that someone is leaving, because otherwise, I just don’t see the point. It makes no sense.
‘He’d find himself in the exact same situation he faces for England right now – sitting on the bench.
‘He’s playing week-in, week-out for Villa, he’s the main man, and he’s about to go into the Champions League off the back of a good World Cup.
‘If I were him, I’d stay put at Villa all day long.’
As well as chasing Rogers, Arsenal are also keen to sign Argentina striker Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, who are reluctant to sell.
The Gunners are also ready to sanction exits for a number of current players and have received a £17m offer for title-winning winger Leandro Trossard.
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