Arsenal have identified Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers as their top forward target this summer, with an approach to Villa expected soon even though no club-to-club talks have taken place yet. Interest in the England international is understood to be building following England’s World Cup exit and after Arsenal’s £34m agreement to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
Why Rogers Could Cost More Than £100m
Given the fees already paid for midfielders such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali elsewhere in this window, any deal for Rogers is expected to comfortably clear the £100 million mark. Aston Villa have made their stance clear that they have no interest in selling, and are in a strong bargaining position after the 23-year-old signed a new contract running through to 2031 back in November.
Arsenal aren’t the only club circling Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all also credited with interest in Rogers, which could further complicate any move and drive the price even higher.
Rogers’ Rapid Rise
Since arriving at Villa Park from Middlesbrough in a £16 million deal in 2024, Rogers has developed quickly from promising young talent into a full England international, now with 21 caps to his name. Last season he contributed 14 goals and 11 assists in 55 appearances for Villa across all competitions.
He featured five times for England at the 2026 World Cup, including a start in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, where he set up Anthony Gordon’s opening goal.
Can Rogers Actually Play Left Wing?
With Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze already occupying central attacking roles at the Emirates, Arsenal see Rogers primarily as a wide option part of a broader reshuffle on the left that also includes Tzolis arriving and Leandro Trossard’s departure to Besiktas.
Rogers built his reputation as an attacking midfielder, at one stage even pushing Jude Bellingham for England’s number 10 role, which raises a fair question about whether he’s suited to a left-wing berth. The underlying numbers suggest he can handle it comfortably around 45 per cent of his Premier League minutes for Villa last season came from the left-wing position, largely a product of Unai Emery’s fluid attacking setup behind Ollie Watkins, which also rotated Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn through wide areas.
Versatility has been a hallmark of Rogers’ career throughout he played as a winger at Lincoln City, was used as a false nine and central striker at points during his time at Middlesbrough, and even lined up on the right for England in the World Cup semi-final. At 23, there’s still plenty of scope for him to be developed further into a genuine left-wing option.
Arsenal’s Other Forward Targets
Arsenal remain interested in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, though a deal continues to look difficult given his family’s preference to stay in Spain and his own reported desire to join Barcelona instead. PSG’s Bradley Barcola is another name Arsenal continue to track, alongside Liverpool’s interest in the same player though again, no direct contact between Arsenal and PSG has taken place, even as the broad shape of a possible deal has been explored.
PSG themselves are not looking to sell Barcola, but his situation is one to watch depending on how their own business develops the French club are separately pursuing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande while also holding an interest in both Alvarez and Rogers.
Quick Facts: Morgan Rogers to Arsenal
- Status: Arsenal’s top forward target; approach expected, no talks yet
- Expected fee: £100m+
- Villa’s stance: Not for sale; new contract runs to 2031
- 2025/26 season numbers: 14 goals, 11 assists in 55 appearances
- Original fee to Villa: £16m from Middlesbrough (2024)
- Other interested clubs: Manchester United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain
