Middlesbrough are set to pocket funds from a potential Premier League transfer.placeholder image
Middlesbrough are set to pocket funds from a potential Premier League transfer. | Getty Images
Aston Villa are fighting to keep hold of the former Middlesbrough star after a breakthrough season.
Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with a move for Aston Villa hotshot Morgan Rogers and those transfer rumours have caught the attention of Championship outfit Middlesbrough.
The 22-year-old signed for the Villains from Boro in February and enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season. Rogers scored 14 goals and picked up 15 assists across all competitions for Unai Emery’s side.
The midfielder was quickly offered a new deal last November as he progressed and put pen to paper, committing his future to Villa Park until 2030. That means that Aston Villa have no pressure to sell but the outfit are known to be battling PSR rules, which has sparked transfer talk.
Middlesbrough eye windfall from Premier League transfer
The Northern Echo has picked up on those rumours and adds that Middlesbrough ‘will continue to monitor Morgan Rogers’ situation’ this summer. However, that is not to rival the Gunners or the Blues, but as they have a sell-on clause that would be activated. The outlet adds that Boro would ‘significantly benefit’ from a ‘healthy’ sell-on fee.
The Championship outfit have already benefited from clauses thanks to Rogers’ involvement in Champions League football and his England debut last November. Aston Villa are known to be desperate to hold onto the rising star and any exit would require a huge fee. Rogers made 33 appearances for Middlesbrough between 2023 and 2024.
Former Premier League scout Mick Brown has given his verdict on the situation to Football Insider. He said: “Aston Villa want to keep hold of Rogers. I’m not surprised the top clubs are looking at him, because he’s been excellent. Having been called up by England and featuring heavily for them, it always increases the eyes on his performances and the clubs who are interested. His profile and the level of interest in him has gone up..
“Ultimately, though, he got into the team through his performances for Villa. They’re confident they can keep hold of him, even with these financial issues they’ve got. He plays such a key role in Unai Emery’s team, I don’t think he or they have any interest in letting him go any time soon. There are plenty of other players they could sell before they look at him.”
Arsenal and Chelsea monitoring Aston Villa star
Rogers has earned huge praise for his Aston Villa efforts as well as his four England outings. Speaking about the Villa man following his efforts for England against Latvia in March, Glenn Hoddle said: “When you want to find out about somebody on the pitch, you've had a look at him in training, can he reproduce it? He went out there and his first bit of skill that he made, he went out towards the corner flag and he did what I call a Rivellino. It was back in the day.
"He used to hit the top of the ball and he spun around the guy. I don't think anyone saw what he did. He got on the back of him on the by-line and cut it back. I think it went for a corner and I thought, ‘my word’, if that's your first thing you're going to do as a player, coming on from the bench.
"He was wonderful. I thought he was excellent. He's just got that little bit of guile about him, that little bit of turn of pace. My word, for his age, he's got that body strength that possibly like a [Wayne] Rooney when he was really young.
"He's strong for a youngster. He won't get knocked off the ball. He's a confident lad and he believes in his own ability. When you think about that type of player coming through, he's only going to get better."
In other news, Arsenal sign £49m winger, Brazil star and Man Utd target in dream starting XI if transfer rumours are true.
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