‘Aston Villa slam door in Chelsea’s faces over admiring Morgan Rogers glances’
Chelsea are admirers of Morgan Rogers but Aston Villa look to have thrown a huge block into their path ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength at Villa Park since arriving from Middlesbrough last year, notching 17 goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances across domestic and European competitions.
His performances have caught the attention of several Premier League clubs, but Football Insider understands that Villa will sell other first-team members before letting Rogers depart.
Also boasting six of his goal contributions in 12 Champions League fixtures, the attacker has been able to express himself on one of the biggest stages, so the Villans will likely have several offers to turn down.
Aston Villa to receive unwanted attention for Morgan Rogers
According to the Telegraph (22 May), Rogers is admired by Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea, but it is understood that the Villans will not consider a sale at any price this summer.
Having only been signed for £15million from Middlesbrough in February 2024, the 22-year-old is rated at a price of around £100million, with Boro in line for 20 per cent of a future transfer fee.
Unai Emery to lose other stars before Morgan Rogers leaves
Football Insider verdict
Unai Emery will want to continue building this Villa team, rather than taking a step backwards throughout the summer transfer window, so keeping Rogers is a must.
However, Football Insider understands that Arsenal plan to reignite their interest in Ollie Watkins, having seen a £50million offer knocked back in January, a move which was not received well at Villa Park.
No player has matched the striker’s impact in the final third, recording 30 and 40 goal contributions in the last two campaigns, but Emery’s favouritism towards Marcus Rashford seems to have pushed Watkins out.
The Villans would desperately need a replacement for the England international, but that will only be a problem to solve if Villa choose to accept a transfer fee this summer.
Emi Martinez, Leon Bailey, and Youri Tielemans could also leave out the Villa exit doors, joined by loanees Marco Asensio and Rashford, who are unlikely to be signed on permanent deals.
Given how well the Villans have done this season, it is not surprising to see the rising interest in their biggest stars, and this leaves Emery with difficult decisions to make once the transfer window opens.