Arsenal Open Talks To Sign Morgan Rogers

Ben specialises in the business of sport as well as transfer news. He has been fortunate to cover multiple World Cups and European Championships, and has also produced a feature-length film called Equal Playing Field following the journey of 60 female footballers who staged the world's highest football match on top of Mount Kilimanjaro in order to help promote gender equality.

Ben was educated at Oxford University where he studied English before moving into sports journalism. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Arsenal are set to bid for Morgan Rogers after making the Aston Villa attacker their number one target, GIVEMESPORT understands. Arsenal are keen to add a starting left-winger, and the fact Rogers also thrives as a number ten is viewed as an added bonus.

Rogers is understood to be keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium, despite firm interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Villa insiders insist they want to keep Rogers, GMS understands a sale will be sanctioned at the right price. Rogers signed a new contract in November last year, keeping him at the club until 2031, but it only added a year to his existing terms.

There was an understanding last summer that Rogers could go for £80million, a price tag no suitor met. At that point, Liverpool were one of Rogers' most active suitors but haven't, as it stands, rekindled interest. And this number informs the valuation for this window and will prove a starting point for any engagement.

Villa will be watching closely at the kind of fees other players are valued at, including Leipzig's €130million asking price for Yan Diomande, and the £70million Barcelona paid for Anthony Gordon with less time left on his contract than Rogers. Should they get a bidding war in addition, sources indicate they could ask for a figure closer to £100million. Yet Villa won't unduly stand in Rogers' way, something that was reiterated to the player when he signed fresh terms.

Rogers is at peak age and peak value, and Villa know bringing in a sale can help Unai Emery reinvest in multiple squad players and balance the books. Even with Champions League football this season, Villa are still looking to bring in funds as they navigate the final cycle of the Premier League's Profit & Sustainability Rules and seek to satisfy UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP).

Arsenal consider themselves frontrunners to sign Rogers and will now begin formal talks with Aston Villa.

Rogers, who has made 125 appearances for Villa, scoring 25 times, is currently on England duty. He was also named as the Player of the Tournament in the Europa League as Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in the final to lift the trophy and qualify for the Champions League.

Rogers has no preference as to whether he is deployed as a left-winger or a number ten, and Arsenal value his versatility.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are one of the clubs keen on Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi and face competition from several Champions League clubs, including Liverpool and PSG. The 18-year-old midfielder is likely to cost more than £55million.

And Arsenal are set to sign Leicester City winger Jeremy Monga for at least £10million. It doesn't appear a tribunal will be necessary to establish the fee for the 16-year-old after the clubs have been able to reach a verbal agreement. Only final details now remain, and Monga has already agreed terms.

Arsenal have now agreed a fee to secure a new signing ahead of Manchester United.