Arsenal are poised to make a formal offer for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, with a bid of around £105 million (€123m) expected imminently, FootballTransfers can reveal. The offer would surpass the Gunners’ current record transfer fee of £100 million (€116m), paid for Declan Rice from West Ham United in 2023.
Sources indicate that Rogers has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal, paving the way for the club to approach Aston Villa. However, Unai Emery’s side are expected to reject the initial bid, having set an asking price closer to £130 million (€150m) for the 23-year-old.
Rogers has emerged as a key player under Emery, frequently deployed in an attacking midfield role. Last season, he demonstrated his versatility and creative ability, becoming an integral part of Villa’s attacking setup. Aston Villa are proactively seeking a replacement, with Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi identified as a potential candidate to fill the void left by Rogers’ potential departure.
While not a formal transfer request, Rogers is understood to have communicated his desire to join Arsenal to Aston Villa officials. The club have acknowledged the player’s preference and are preparing for potential negotiations. Arsenal have also clearly outlined their plans to Rogers and his representatives.
Despite the significant gap between Arsenal’s offer and Villa’s valuation, the Premier League champions are intensifying their pursuit. The situation suggests a protracted negotiation period, but Arsenal’s willingness to break their transfer record underscores their determination to secure Rogers’ signature.
In separate news, Arsenal are not currently engaged in negotiations to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, despite previous links. Atletico Madrid have been resolute in their stance, indicating they will only consider offers matching Alvarez’s €500 million release clause, a position communicated to Barcelona earlier this week. Alvarez is also reportedly a target for Real Madrid, who have submitted a bid of €150 million.
