Morgan Rogers sends heartfelt response after Leeds deal agreed
Morgan Rogers’ half-season spell at Middlesbrough proved to be a springboard for his huge success at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for an initial £8million fee, and the 22-year-old hasn’t looked back with 17 goals and 16 assists across all competitions in the last 18 months.
Rogers‘ explosion in form last term saw him rack up 29 of those goal contributions and adapt seamlessly to Champions League football, but he currently won’t get the chance to repeat those feats next season.
Unai Emery‘s side being beaten to a Champions League place on goal difference by Newcastle has left them consigned to the Europa League next season, and this has left Rogers’ future under a cloud at Villa.
Both Chelsea and Rogers’ former employers Manchester City have been heavily linked with a move for the England international, but Aston Villa have firmly established that they want £100million for Rogers.
Rogers reacts to Jonny Howson transfer news
Emery signing Rogers for a mere £8m and a further £7m in add-ons has proven to be a bargain given his form at Villa Park in the 18 months since, but Middlesbrough haven’t been able to kick on with the funds.
Boro have finished eighth and tenth in the Championship in the two seasons since Rogers’ move, with Michael Carrick sacked after two failed play-off pushes and Rob Edwards replacing him this summer.
Middlesbrough also confirmed on Tuesday that long-time captain Jonny Howson would leave the club after eight seasons at the Riverside Stadium, as Rogers sent a heartfelt response on Instagram (22 July).
With Howson now set to return to his boyhood club Leeds United as a player-coach, Rogers posted on his Instagram story, sharing Middlesbrough’s Howson announcement post with three ‘love heart’ emojis.
Aston Villa braced for Rogers exit amid Leeds developments
Football Insider Verdict
Leeds are looking to emulate Villa’s continued rise up the Premier League table after sealing promotion from the Championship last season, and Daniel Farke is also in the market for a left winger this summer.
Rogers doesn’t look set for a move to Elland Road, but it’s up in the air if he’ll still be at Villa Park next season as Chelsea’s interest ramps up and Aston Villa’s own financial worries come home to roost.
Sales could well be in the pipeline after Aston Villa were fined by UEFA for financial breaches, and if any interested club do put a figure in the region of £100m on the table, even the most ardent fan would struggle to say no.