Aston Villa expert suggests club's response to Arsenal swoop after source's 'top priority' claim

Aston Villa want to price interested clubs out of a move for Morgan Rogers this summer and that could doom Arsenal's attempt to agree a deal.

Rogers has emerged as one of the most in-demand forwards in world football after some standout showings for Villa over the last few seasons.

Sources say Arsenal have made his signature their top priority in the summer window, Chelsea are closely monitoring him and Man City also remain keen on re-signing their former academy star.

Villa do not want to lose their key man, however, especially as they prepare to return to Champions League football next season.

Former Villa scout and Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the Villans' lofty demands could price interested clubs out of a move for Rogers this summer.

They are believed to want well over £100million for the 23-year-old, but will not be pressured into a sale, given his contract length and the fact they are not constrained by Premier League or UEFA financial rules.

Rogers has been ousted from the England side by Jude Bellingham, but could soon prove his quality with a star turn at the World Cup this summer.

The Villa star is believed to be open to joining Arsenal, but a move away seems uncertain unless Villa's price tag changes.

“When they play a bit more expansively and they get the full backs going, everything loosens up a little bit, Morgan Rogers and people like that look like better players," Brown exclusively told Football Insider.

“He constantly wants to run behind people, and you don't get that nowadays. Everybody wants to come to the ball and drop off the centre half. What does that do? Give me someone like Morgan Rogers.

“I guess the biggest thing is, who can actually afford him if Villa do sell? That is the main point. Villa will price him so high it will be difficult to afford him.”

Emery's side is full of seasoned professionals and top Premier League players, but Villa do seem to lack sellable assets alongside Rogers.

Fellow Three Lions international Ezri Konsa is one of the few stars that they could sell on for a big profit, after he was bought for just £12m back in 2019.

Sources have told Football Insider that Konsa could be sold this summer to free up funds for new arrivals in other positions.

The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract as it stands, and featured 48 times in all competitions last season.