Arsenal target Rogers and Kroupi in £170m double swoop, Parlour backs both deals

Ray Parlour has backed Arsenal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers and Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi in a summer transfer window that could see the Premier League champions spend close to £170m on the two targets.

Manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta are understood to be prioritising a left winger and a second striker as Arsenal look to build on their title triumph. Kroupi, whose goal against Manchester City effectively handed Arsenal the championship last month, is valued at around £86m, while Villa are reportedly demanding £80m for Rogers.

Parlour told Mirror Football: “Kroupi’s a very good, talented player, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a young player, and you know Mikel Arteta can make players even better when they’re young, so that would be a good signing.”

The former Invincible was equally enthusiastic about Rogers, though he acknowledged the 23-year-old’s arrival would have consequences for the current squad. Rogers’s ability to operate on the left wing and in a number ten role would eat into the minutes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, both of whom have endured mixed form in recent seasons.

“I think Rogers is a fantastic player. He can play off the left-hand side as well. I think we need someone off the left,” Parlour said. “I don’t know what will happen with Trossard or Martinelli, but Rogers can play in the No. 10 role as well, which he’s done very well at Aston Villa.”

Rogers is considered one of the first names on Arteta’s wishlist owing to his pace, dribbling and positional versatility. At 23, he fits the profile of a player who could develop further under the Spaniard’s coaching, much like Kroupi, who is also at an early stage of his career.

Arsenal spent a club-record £250m last summer, and the potential outlay on Rogers and Kroupi alone would represent a significant reinvestment as they look to defend their title and compete deeper in the Champions League next season.