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It takes something special to earn the trust of Unai Emery, to insist on Thomas Tuchel’s England plans and attract the interest of Europe’s elite. Morgan Rodgers does all three and that’s why Arsenal are looking to sign him in their latest statement.
Sky Sports News Understandably, the gunmen made it Rodgers is their top forward target This summer and an approach to Aston Villa is now expected.
The 23-year-old has quickly risen from a promising young talent in the top-flight to a fully-fledged England international with talismanic status at Villa Park.
Rodgers, signed from Middlesbrough in a £16million deal in 2024, has only been out of the starting line-up for two of Villa’s games in the past two seasons but could leave the club now that Europe’s elite are on the move.
Queues for inquiries about Rogers’ services have been long. Sky Sports News Report Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris St–Jermaine And Bayern Munich With Arsenal among his other admirers – but it is the Premier League champions who have piqued their interest as they look for extra firepower.
here, Sky Sports Discusses why Arsenal want Rodgers, where he would fit in and what fans can expect if a deal goes through.
Why does Arsenal want Rodgers?
Arsenal are making signing a left-winger a priority this summer. Leandro Trossard Joined Besiktas and their alternate roles, Gabriel MartinelliAlso faces an uncertain future in the Emirates.
God bless youMarkie, a £67.5m signing from Crystal Palace last summer, is capable of playing in this role but 24 of his 33 appearances for Arsenal have come as a No 10.
Bukayo Saka, You are Maduek And Max Dowman Cover the right flank – but if Arteta is to maintain the same depth in his squad that led them to the title, and go one step further in Europe, they will need additional reinforcements at the opposite end.
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The Sky Sports News team discuss whether Arsenal will target Aston Villa’s Morgan Rodgers despite his potential cost of over £100m.
Where would he fit in?
In 21 of his 37 Premier League appearances for Villa last season, Rodgers started in a central role. However, should Arsenal confirm his signing, they plan to use him extensively on the left.
It is a position and area of the pitch that Rodgers is familiar with. He started 15 games at left back last season, scoring five goals and adding three assists, including as many goals as he managed in 21 games centrally.
The team sheet will read that Rodgers plays centrally in the number 10 role but his best moments come when cutting in from the left.
Outlines why Arsenal have identified him as a target for the role, should they succeed in their ambitious bid to sign one of the premium talents in the English top-flight.
Morgan Rodgers’ statistics when playing centrally or on the left last season
Playing in this role for Villa, Rodgers has shown a marked increase in his attacking output across all fronts. Goals, chances created, assists and shots all increase per game.
Although Arteta’s instructions will be much tighter and confined to this side of the pitch, as opposed to Villa’s freedom to move left from the central area, it highlights that the England international is capable of producing when given a left-winger role.
Whether it’s cutting in with his preferred right foot or driving to the byline for the benefit of his teammates, Rodgers will offer Arsenal the presence on this side of the pitch that they’ve been lacking.
Morgan Rodgers heat map for the 2025/26 season
Last season, just 33 percent of their attacks were down the left, while Bucayo Saka had 43 percent down the right.
In comparison, with Rodgers among their ranks and ventures down the left, Villa favored that side 37 percent to 35 percent on the right.
Rodgers’ marquee signing would provide Arsenal with a whole other avenue to explore.
Morgan Rodgers shot by zone in the Premier League, 2025/26
Do Arsenal have other options?
Villa do not want to sell Rodgers and are in a strong negotiating position after the forward signed a new contract until 2031 last November.
The club qualified for the Champions League last season after finishing fourth, as well as winning the Europa League.
Fresh from ending their 22-year wait for another league title, Arsenal are now looking to strengthen their attacking options while keeping the backbone of their Premier League winning side intact.
Club-to-club talks for Rodgers are yet to begin but Arsenal have done their due diligence on other potential targets, should a move for Villa fail to materialise.
They have agreed a £34m deal for Club Brugge left-winger Jolis – a record fee for the Belgian Pro League – who will act as Trossard’s replacement.
They are also interested Julian Alvarez But a deal seems difficult to do, especially given the family’s preference to stay in Spain and Alvarez’s desire to join Barcelona.
Arsenal are interested in Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez
Forwards Rodgers and Alvarez are expected to fetch in excess of £100m, with midfielders already in this window. Elliott Anderson And Sandro Tonali.
Another Arsenal forward has retained interest from Paris Saint-Germain Bradley Barcolaalong with Liverpool.
Again, there has been no club-to-club contact between Arsenal and PSG – but terms of a deal have been explored.
PSG do not want to sell Barcola but his future will have to be monitored depending on the move the Ligue 1 champions make in the window.
They are actively trying to sign the winger Ian Diomond from Arabic Leipzig And there is also interest in Alvarez and Rodgers.
The list is long but the priorities are clear. The Villa forward is Arsenal’s top target this summer.
His proven Premier League quality and potential for further development make him the obvious choice but any move will depend on Villa’s willingness to negotiate.
