Arsenal are “contemplating” whether to make a bid for Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, according to reports.
The Gunners were linked with the 22-year-old earlier this month (along with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City), but GiveMeSport claim that the Gunners have now made “initial contact” about his availability.
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Rogers is not expected to force a move away from Villa Park, while the Midlands club are also very reluctant to let him leave.
The England international scored 14 goals and registered 15 assists in 54 appearances for the Villans last season so you can understand why they do not want to sell him this summer.
The Arsenal target has a steep asking price
Even though Villa are not keen on entertaining offers for the player, it is believed that they would be more amenable if they receive a bid in the region of £90m to £100m.
That is an eyewatering valuation and lot may depend on how highly Arsenal rate Rogers. Manager Mikel Arteta is keen to add more creativity up front and he has tasked sporting director Andrea Berta with finding a suitable option.
However, with the London club also hoping to snap up a No.9, it seems unlikely that they would have the funds to spend close to nine figures on another forward.
Rogers has been compared to a German superstar
Speaking about the Englishman back in September, former Chelsea and Marseille striker Tony Cascarino drew comparisons with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala:
“I think he’s going to be a player. He really looks, there’s something about, he reminds me a little bit of Jamal Musiala. He’s that guy that picks up the ball and he’ll just make runs and he’ll create problems for others. He’s got a lot about him.”
“Comparing him to Musiala, well that type of player, that’s a really big praise because Musiala’s a real talent. But I do see something in Morgan Rogers where he’s got that ability. He gets in his stride and he’s going quick but he doesn’t look particularly quick and yet people don’t get to him. He just seems to ride the tackles and not get phased.”
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