Arsenal are in hot pursuit of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, and Mikel Arteta is pulling out all the stops to ensure they win the race for his signature.
Chelsea have been ‘pleading’ for Rogers to move to Stamford Bridge instead, but the Gunners are starting to take concrete steps to secure his signature, with an opening offer now in the works.
A move may have to wait until after the World Cup though, with the 23-year-old currently representing England, featuring as a substitute against Croatia and Ghana, before going on to play all 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory against Panama which ensured the Three Lions won Group L.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Arsenal are expected to bolster their forward line this summer, and the Aston Villa star is well-known to be one of their main targets. With Gabriel Jesus’ future in doubt, and Gabriel Martinelli attracting interest from Newcastle United, who have now opened talks, Arteta could do with more attacking firepower. |
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Finances |
However, considering Aston Villa could be set to hold out for £100m, the Gunners are likely to have to shell out a huge fee, which would see the England star become one of their most expensive signings in history. |
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Insight |
Arsenal fans will know all about Rogers’ quality, given that he has been tearing it up in the Premier League for several years now, amassing 21 goals and 19 assists in 85 appearances. A tally of seven assists last season was more than any player in Arteta’s squad. |
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Impact |
With the former Middlesbrough man capable of playing on the left, his arrival could spell the end for Martinelli, who has struggled to be as consistent as Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank, scoring just one Premier League goal in 30 appearances last season. |
Arsenal prepared to make mega bid for Morgan Rogers
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have told Rogers’ agents they are willing to make a huge bid to get a deal over the line, with Arteta personally driving the move.
The Spaniard is obsessed with the 18-cap England international, informing his representatives and the Arsenal hierarchy he rates him very highly.
The 44-year-old wants to improve his options on the left side, with Leandro Trossard and Martinelli seemingly unable to do enough to make the position their own.
Why Morgan Rogers might not be the ideal fit
Arteta clearly believes he’s found the right man, but there have been some suggestions Arsenal may need to sign an out-and-out winger instead.
Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley said: “Please don’t get me wrong, I think Morgan Rogers is an absolutely sensational player… And I’m not surprised Mikel Arteta would reportedly like him at Arsenal… he’s Arteta all over.
“But I’d be surprised if Arsenal ultimately pulled the trigger on another left-wing/10 hybrid type, a year after signing Eze, especially when he’ll surely cost at least £80m. If I was them, I’d be looking for a greater threat in behind, a more traditional winger.”
Indeed, Villa’s talisman isn’t a traditional winger, and often plays through the middle, and started through the middle on 20 occasions in the Premier League last season, where Arteta already has the likes of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze at his disposal.
As such, a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, who scored 11 Ligue 1 goals last season while primarily playing as a left-winger, would perhaps make more sense, and the Frenchman is one of Arsenal’s top targets.