Arsenal target £165m double raid on Aston Villa for Rogers and Konsa this summer

Arsenal are targeting a £165m double swoop on Aston Villa this summer, with Mikel Arteta’s side pursuing both Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa as the club accelerates its transfer activity ahead of the new season.

The Gunners have already wrapped up the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie, but their ambitions stretch considerably further. According to The Telegraph, Villa are demanding a British record £130m for Rogers, with Chelsea also circling and a potential bidding war looming. The Daily Mail has since reported that Arsenal’s interest extends to Konsa, with the Gunners believing they can secure the defender for around £35m — though Villa are expected to push for a higher fee for the 28-year-old England international.

Both Rogers and Konsa are currently on international duty at the World Cup, meaning any deal would need to be concluded before they return. Should Arsenal land Konsa at the lower end of their valuation, the two transfers combined would reach £165m — pushing total summer spending to approximately £200m when Hincapie’s fee is included.

Rogers, capable of operating as a No. 10 or from wide positions, is understood to be earmarked as a potential replacement for Leandro Trossard, who continues to be linked with a move to Besiktas. Gabriel Martinelli is also reportedly being considered for a departure from the Emirates, further underlining the scale of the rebuild Arteta is planning.

Konsa’s appeal lies in his versatility. With Ben White’s future at the club uncertain, Arsenal are reportedly keen to add a player who can cover both right-back and central defence.

Elsewhere, the reason behind Arsenal’s withdrawal from the race to sign Leicester City teenager Jeremy Monga has emerged. Manchester City moved decisively to hijack the deal, with the 16-year-old now reportedly on the verge of joining City for around £10m. Arsenal had been strongly linked with Monga and are understood to have had a £5m offer in play before City’s intervention ended their pursuit.