---

Exclusive: Arsenal Eye Shock Move for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers

Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers in what would be one of the more surprising moves of the summer transfer window.

Sources close to the discussions suggest that the situation is still developing, with greater clarity expected in the coming days, but the interest is genuine and under active consideration.

Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy

The Gunners have been methodical in the market under manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.

Their approach in recent windows has focused on targeting young, versatile players who can add both depth and long-term potential to the squad.

The acquisitions of players like Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, and Declan Rice all underline Arsenal’s vision of building a squad capable of competing with Manchester City at the summit of English football.

Adding another wide option appears to be part of that vision.

Arsenal currently rely heavily on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in the wide areas.

While both have been outstanding, the club has often looked stretched when either has been unavailable.

Leandro Trossard provides depth on the left and the occasional central option, but beyond him, Arteta’s options thin out quickly.

Rogers, at 22, fits the mould of a player who could provide cover, competition, and a high ceiling for development.

Who is Morgan Rogers?

Rogers is not a household name to casual fans, but those who followed Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery will be aware of his contributions.

A former Manchester City academy product, Rogers joined Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for a reported fee of around £8 million.

His performances in claret and blue have quickly caught attention, as he demonstrated pace, direct dribbling ability, and composure in attacking transitions.

Standing at 6ft 2in, Rogers is a powerful yet elegant forward who primarily plays on the left wing but can also slot into central attacking roles. His physicality combined with technical skill gives him the profile of a modern wide forward — one who can stretch defenses, create one-on-one mismatches, and contribute with goals and assists.

For Villa, Rogers has shown flashes of the potential that once made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the country.

His emergence has been timely for a Villa side looking to consolidate their status as a top-four challenger.

Why Arsenal Are Interested

From Arsenal’s perspective, Rogers represents both a strategic addition and a potential long-term project.

Unlike a marquee signing who might cost upwards of £60-70 million, Rogers could be available for a more modest fee, though Villa would undoubtedly demand a significant profit on the £8 million they spent less than a year ago.

Arsenal’s recruitment staff are said to admire Rogers’ versatility, athleticism, and upward trajectory.

Arteta has a track record of developing younger players into elite-level stars, and there is a belief that Rogers could flourish under his guidance in north London.

There is also the question of squad depth. With Arsenal competing in the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups, Arteta knows the importance of having multiple reliable attacking outlets. The workload on Bukayo Saka has been a recurring talking point, and while the England winger rarely misses games, there is an acknowledgment within the club that he cannot carry such a heavy burden indefinitely.

Rogers’ ability to operate on either flank could make him an ideal rotational option, providing much-needed balance and freshness to Arsenal’s forward line.

Villa’s Stance

Aston Villa, however, are not expected to let Rogers go easily.

Unai Emery has been instrumental in shaping the current squad, and Rogers’ emergence has been part of Villa’s push into the upper echelons of the league.

The club are also preparing for European football, which increases the importance of maintaining depth across all positions.

Financially, Villa are under less pressure than in previous years. The club’s strong league performances, commercial growth, and Europa Conference League campaign have bolstered their revenues.

That means they are in a position to resist offers that do not meet their valuation.

If Arsenal’s interest turns into a formal bid, it will test Villa’s resolve — especially if the player himself expresses a desire to move to a Champions League club.

What Happens Next

For now, the story remains at an exploratory stage.

Arsenal’s recruitment team are compiling reports, weighing options, and assessing feasibility.

With other targets also under consideration, including potential midfield and defensive reinforcements, the club will need to decide how much emphasis to place on reinforcing the wide forward positions.

The transfer window is always full of surprises, and Arsenal have shown a willingness to move quickly when opportunities arise.

Their sudden move for Leandro Trossard in January 2023 and their record-breaking pursuit of Declan Rice the following summer both demonstrated that the Gunners are capable of swift, decisive action.

Whether Morgan Rogers becomes the next name on that list will depend on how discussions develop in the coming days.

What is certain is that Arsenal are keeping a close eye on him, and the move, while unexpected, has a logic that