Rogers open to Villa exit as Arsenal lead £100m chase ahead of summer window

Morgan Rogers is open to leaving Aston Villa this summer despite not actively seeking an exit, with Arsenal emerging as the frontrunners among a group of Premier League clubs tracking the 23-year-old England forward. Villa are expected to demand around £100m for Rogers — a figure that mirrors the fee they received for Jack Grealish when he joined Manchester City in 2021.

According to The Athletic, Rogers acknowledges that this summer could represent an opportune moment for a new challenge, even if he is not agitating for a transfer. Arsenal, who won the Premier League title last season and reached both the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals, are looking to strengthen their squad and have been linked with Rogers for some time.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City have also been credited with interest, though the clubs are at varying levels of commitment. United may hold a notable advantage: Rogers worked under manager Michael Carrick during his time at Middlesbrough, giving the Old Trafford club a personal connection that rivals cannot replicate. Rogers left Manchester City in 2023 in search of regular first-team football before establishing himself at Villa Park.

Chelsea are said to view Rogers as an ideal addition, while Liverpool are understood to have other squad priorities ahead of a potential move for the Villa forward. The report suggests Rogers is not among Liverpool’s most pressing targets this window.

Villa manager Unai Emery persuaded Rogers to remain at the club for at least one more season last summer, a request the player honoured. Whether Emery can retain him again — particularly if a £100m offer materialises — remains to be seen.

Rogers is not the only forward on Arsenal’s radar this summer. Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi has also attracted the Gunners’ attention following an impressive debut full season at the south-coast club.