Arsenal are preparing an opening offer for Morgan Rogers as Mikel Arteta steps up his pursuit of the Aston Villa attacker.
The Gunners have held discussions with both the player and Villa over a possible summer transfer. Club-to-club negotiations are expected to intensify following the World Cup.
According to talkSPORT, Rogers is interested in joining Arsenal, although Villa remain reluctant to sell one of Unai Emery’s most important players.
Arsenal are ready to advance the deal after agreeing a package worth around £34m for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis.
Arsenal face record-breaking Rogers demand
Tzolis is expected to replace Leandro Trossard, who completed a permanent move to Besiktas earlier this week.
The Greece international’s arrival will not end Arsenal’s attacking business. As Read Arsenal examined following the agreement, Tzolis is viewed as a direct squad replacement rather than an alternative to Rogers.
Rogers remains Arteta’s leading target because he can operate as a number 10 or from either wing. The 23-year-old recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances last season before impressing for England at the World Cup.
Villa are believed to value Rogers at around £130m. He signed a new contract in November which runs until June 2031, leaving the Midlands club in a strong negotiating position.
Any deal near Villa’s demand would eclipse the £105m Arsenal paid West Ham United for Declan Rice in 2023.
Andrea Berta must now decide how far Arsenal are prepared to go for Arteta’s priority target. An opening proposal appears close, but convincing Villa to sanction a sale remains the decisive obstacle.
