‘I’ve been told Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers transfer plan’ after Chelsea swap deal offer
Aston Villa are extremely reluctant to entertain offers for Morgan Rogers despite Chelsea’s interest, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old is not on Unai Emery’s list of available players this summer.
A number of first-team stars could be allowed to leave Villa Park, including Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez, but they are not prepared to lose too many star men.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 29 July that Chelsea have made an offer for Rogers with two players included in the deal.
Sources say they have offered Nicolas Jackson and Tosin Adarabioyo as well as a cash sum to Villa in part-exchange for the England international.
However, Football Insider revealed on 8 July that Villa are “desperate” to keep Rogers despite the potential financial benefits of his sale in their current situation.
Aston Villa make Morgan Rogers decision amid Chelsea interest
Brown told Football Insider last month that Villa will turn down any offers for Rogers this summer and are “confident” of keeping him beyond the end of the transfer window.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the midfielder remains an important part of Emery’s plans for the future.
“Morgan Rogers has had a very impressive season at Villa,” he told Football Insider.
“When that happens, it’s always going to spark interest from clubs like Chelsea, that’s no surprise.
“From Villa’s point of view, I’m told they want to keep hold of him.
“He’s become a key player for Emery, and if the likes of Watkins and Martinez are going to be leaving as could still happen, they won’t want to lose too many.
“Rogers is not one of the names on that list.
“If they lose all three of them, it’s very difficult to replace that many important players.
“Off the back of a really good season last year, I think if he stays at Villa and shows he can do it over a sustained period of time, that interest isn’t going anywhere.
“Another season like the one he’s just had would do no harm to his reputation.
“And it would allow Villa to keep one of their star players and remain competitive.
“They’re determined to keep him, so unless a silly offer arrives, I expect they will do.”
Ollie Watkins update emerges after Calvert-Lewin twist
While Emery plans to keep Rogers at the club, he is unlikely to stand in the way of other key players including Watkins should interested clubs step up their moves.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 July that Watkins’ future remains up in the air and the club have let it be known that he would be sold at the right price.
Tottenham and Man United have been keeping tabs on the England international’s situation at Villa Park, but have not made concerted moves.
It comes as Unai Emery’s side prepare to step up their interest in signing former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is available on a free transfer.
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