Sources: Big update on Aston Villa pursuit of Middlesbrough star Morgan Rodgers after latest bid
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is pushing hard to complete a deal for Middlesbrough ace Morgan Rodgers before the transfer cut-off, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking to the new edition of Football Insider’s Insider Track Podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the Spaniard rates the 21-year-old very highly and is keen to see him move to Villa Park in January.
It is believed that Emery immediately instructed the club’s recruitment team to pursue Rodgers after he faced Villa in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month (6 January).
As revealed by Football Insider (23 January), a bid between £10-12million should be enough to secure the former Man City forward.
Sources have also told Football Insider (22 January) that Villa have submitted a third bid for the starlet and are “growing in confidence” they will sign him before the window shuts.
The Villans have already seen two offers for Rogers rejected by Michael Carrick’s side, who are reluctant to lose him mid-season and will drive a hard bargain to secure an eight-figure deal.
Talent-spotters from Villa were in attendance at Middlesbrough’s 1-1 draw against Rotherham on Saturday (20 January) to watch Rodgers.
The winger’s outing against the Millers left scouts so impressed that they have now made him the club’s top target this month.
He has notched seven goals and nine assists across 33 appearances in all competitions in his debut season for Boro.
Aston Villa sit fourth in the Premier League table after their 0-0 draw against relegation battlers Everton on Sunday 14 January.
They are next in action against Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge on Friday evening (26 January).
In other news, Sources: Aston Villa to sell two more first-teamers as midfielder’s medical underway.
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