Arsenal receive £45m discount for Morgan Rogers as Aston Villa star agrees long-term deal
Arsenal are chasing Aston Villa sensation Morgan Rogers, and his full transfer fee could be much cheaper than first thought.
Why Morgan Rogers is Arsenal's dream signing
Rogers has quickly become one of the most exciting attacking players in the Premier League, so it is no surprise that Arsenal are keen to test Villa's mettle.
If Mikel Arteta wants to build a team that can stay at the top for years to come, Rogers looks like the type of signing that should be made.
At just 23 years old, the Englishman already has a lot in his locker. He can play on either wing, as a number 10 or in a deeper attacking role, giving Arteta the tactical flexibility he values so much.
That ability to fill multiple positions without a noticeable drop in performance is increasingly important for clubs competing in several competitions.
Rogers also looks prepared for Arsenal's style.
He is comfortable finding the ball in tight spaces, handles the ball with confidence in midfield and has become a real threat, with 31 goals and 29 assists in 125 games for Unai Emery's side.
His decision-making has greatly improved over the past two seasons, but perhaps most impressively, Rogers still appears to have another level to reach.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal are ready to fast-track a deal for Rogers after signing Christos Tzolis, with the former Middlesbrough gem now a target for them.
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Football FanCast verdict |
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Honesty |
Sacha Tavolieri has built a solid reputation for breaking transfer stories across Belgium and European football. His reporting is often cited by major media outlets, although some specials take time to materialize. He is generally regarded as a reliable journalist, especially when covering transfer negotiations involving top clubs. |
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Finance |
The £85 million transfer would still rank among Arsenal's biggest signings, although it is well below the previously reported £130 million. Aston Villa's long-term contract with Rogers strengthens their negotiating position, while Arsenal have to balance capital with SCR despite a healthy income. |
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Understanding |
Rogers progressed through the West Brom and Man City academy before settling at Middlesbrough. Since joining Aston Villa, he has developed into an England regular thanks to his direct running, intelligence and improved finishing. His versatility makes him one of England's most complete attacking midfielders. |
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Impact |
Rogers will add another dimension to Arsenal's attack by providing pace, fitness and versatility. His ability to operate in multiple attacking roles would give Arteta more options in difficult situations, and his age means Arsenal could sign a player who can lead the way for years. |
Of course, there is one obvious concern.
Spending almost nine figures on any player creates a lot of pressure, regardless of talent. Rogers will arrive with high expectations and will be judged quickly on the league's biggest change.
That said, Sky Switzerland reporter Sacha Tavolieri is now reporting that they could sign him for a very small fee.
Arsenal offer £45m bid for Morgan Rogers as Aston Villa star agrees terms
He suggests Arsenal's pursuit has taken another significant step forward.
The reporter claims that Rogers has already agreed personal terms on a contract that will run until 2031, leaving clubs to negotiate a transfer fee.
His same report says that Arsenal are expected to sign a deal for around £85 million.
That figure would represent a huge discount on the £130 million Aston Villa were reported to be seeking for their star striker – £45m less.
Villa remain in a tight spot thanks to Rogers' long-term contract, with some reports in England continuing to suggest they are publicly valuing the England international for more than £100 million.
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Whether Arsenal can close that gap remains to be seen, but the reported deal on personal terms will remove one major hurdle if talks between the two clubs accelerate in the coming days.
Tavolieri also said that Rogers has told Villa that he wants to join Arsenal, so this should be looked at in the coming weeks.
