Some transfers send a message far beyond the player being signed.
That’s precisely how Mikel Arteta views this transfer; ambitious.
And he’s taken personal control of making it happen.
Mikel Arteta personally leading Arsenal’s pursuit of Morgan Rogers as talks take place with Aston Villa
According to talkSPORT, Arteta is “personally leading the drive” to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, seeing the capture of one of the Premier League’s most exciting attackers as a “signal of intent” to Arsenal’s rivals following their title triumph.
Preliminary discussions have already taken place with the player’s representatives.
And Rogers himself is open to leaving Villa Park.
The timing is significant.
Aston Villa won the Europa League last week, their first major trophy in 30 years, with Rogers scoring the decisive third goal in the final against Freiburg.
And he wants to see if he can go even higher.
His numbers this season are extraordinary.
14 goals and 12 assists across 55 appearances.
A return that has established him as one of the most complete attacking midfielders in Europe.
Aston Villa don’t want to sell.
But they’re increasingly resigned to losing their best player.
Particularly given the scale of interest and Rogers’ own openness to moving.
However, they will start negotiations at £80 million, with the fee expected to rise toward £100-115 million given the level of competition.
That would make him one of the most expensive transfers in Premier League history.
Arsenal are willing to go there.
Rogers operates primarily as a number ten but is equally comfortable on both flanks.
Thus, that versatility is exactly what Arsenal’s system demands from their attacking players.
The title has been won.
And their statement has been made.
Therefore, Arteta wants to prove it wasn’t a peak.
It was just the beginning.
And Morgan Rogers is the player he believes can help prove exactly that.
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