Arsenal target Morgan Rogers valued at British-record £130m by Aston Villa

By Brian Otieno — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

Arsenal are reportedly confident in their pursuit of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, despite Villa’s valuation of the player at a British-record £130m. Sources indicate that Arsenal believe they are leading the race to sign Rogers, with manager Mikel Arteta playing a significant role in convincing the England international that Emirates Stadium is the appropriate next step in his career.

Rogers has emerged as Arsenal’s primary attacking target after their pursuit of Julian Alvarez reportedly stalled. Alvarez is said to be focused on a move to Barcelona. This development has led Arsenal to accelerate their plans for Rogers, with growing confidence in North London that they can secure his signature over rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.

Arteta’s Influence and Arsenal’s Commitment

Arteta has reportedly impressed Rogers with his vision for the player’s role at Arsenal. The Gunners’ boss has clearly communicated that he views Rogers as an ideal addition to strengthen the left side of their attack, a position Arteta has been keen to upgrade for some time. Last season, responsibilities on the left flank were shared by Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, with Eberechi Eze also occasionally deployed there.

Arteta is seeking a player who can make the position their own, and Rogers is considered the leading candidate to fill this void. The Arsenal manager has been heavily involved in the pursuit, conveying to both the club’s hierarchy and Rogers’ representatives how highly he rates the 23-year-old. Furthermore, Arsenal have informed Rogers’ camp of their readiness to make a substantial financial commitment to secure his services.

Despite Arsenal’s optimism, Unai Emery’s stance on Rogers’ sale remains a factor. Villa have consistently maintained their desire to retain their key assets and have previously indicated a club-record valuation for Rogers. Emery has also expressed his strong desire to keep the 23-year-old at Aston Villa.

Aston Villa’s Position and Rival Interest

Emery recently commented on reports linking Arsenal with a move for Rogers, stating that Morgan is a crucial player in Villa’s project. He acknowledged that when a player performs at a high level, it is natural for clubs like Arsenal to show interest. Emery highlighted Rogers’ significant improvement, hunger, humility, and potential for further growth, urging him to continue developing at Aston Villa. He emphasised that Aston Villa is ambitious and aims for its best players to contribute to achieving greater objectives, with Rogers being a key part of that vision.

Despite Villa’s firm stance, Arsenal believe the deal is achievable and are continuing to build their case behind the scenes. A significant factor in their optimism is Rogers’ reported positive response to Arteta’s vision and the personal effort the Spanish manager has made to persuade him to move to the Emirates. These conversations are believed to have given Arsenal a considerable advantage in the transfer race.

While Arsenal appears to be in a strong position, Chelsea and Manchester City remain actively involved in the pursuit of Rogers. Chelsea reportedly holds a strong admiration for Rogers and has also engaged in positive discussions with his representatives. Manchester City, on the other hand, has explored the possibility of bringing their former academy graduate back to the Etihad Stadium. However, Arsenal is reportedly receiving increasingly positive signals from the player’s camp, suggesting a growing belief within the Emirates that Rogers views North London as the most suitable destination for his ambitions.

In other transfer news, Bournemouth has reportedly rejected an enquiry from Arsenal for Alex Scott, stating the midfielder is not for sale this summer. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur has reportedly offered Sandro Tonali a significant six-year deal to join from Newcastle United.

Source: skysports.com