If Arsenal want Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window then the Premier League champions could be forced to part with one or more first-teamers
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 20: Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa looks on during the UEFA Europa League Final 2026 match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa FC at Besiktas Park on May 20, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Juanma - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Morgan Rogers won't be allowed to leave without a fight(Image: Juanma - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen a squad which delivered a first Premier League triumph in more than two decades. Morgan Rogers is believed to be amongst the Spaniard's top targets, though Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is expected to demand assurances that the England international can be adequately replaced - possibly approving a player-exchange arrangement.
The 23-year-old Gunners target is tied to Villa Park until 2031 following a contract extension signed during last season. He won't come without a substantial price tag, and Emery's outfit may look to add one or more Arsenal players to their ranks as part of any potential agreement.
Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly monitoring Rogers, who has thrived since moving to Villa Park in February 2024. With 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this term, the former Middlesbrough ace has shown himself to be a key asset.
Nevertheless, a hefty transfer fee along with one or more Arsenal squad members could convince Emery's side to part ways with their key man. We've examined a handful of those potential candidates.
Gabriel Martinelli
When speculation turns to which first-team players might depart Arsenal this summer, Gabriel Martinelli's name frequently often comes up. The Brazilian has been a faithful servant under Mikel Arteta, though he's arguably more expendable than some of his teammates.
Martinelli has made 53 club appearances across all competitions this season but only averages 45 minutes per outing. He was named in the starting XI for only one of the Gunners' final six league fixtures and found himself on the substitutes' bench for both the Champions League final and the second leg of the semi-final against Atletico Madrid, though Arteta trusted him enough to throw him on in both games.
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The potential benefits for Villa are clear. Despite his substantial experience in high-stakes matches, Martinelli is still only 24, while his versatility across the forward line could prove valuable for Emery's squad, particularly after the Spanish manager extracted impressive performances from former loanee Marcus Rashford - a man with similar upsides.
Ethan Nwaneri
Nwaneri's Arsenal future has become the subject of debate after a tough loan spell at Marseille. A managerial change at Stade Velodrome resulted in the playmaker's playing time being severely restricted, preventing him from demonstrating his capabilities to his parent club.
Nwaneri's classification as an academy graduate means any sale would register as complete profit. Whether this becomes a decisive consideration for Arsenal remains uncertain - largely dependent upon other departures - but it could prove significant and things could hinge on which clubs show an interest.
NORWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Ethan Nwaneri of England looks on during the UEFA U21 EURO 2027 Qualifier between England and Moldova at Carrow Road on March 31, 2026 in Norwich, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Ethan Nwaneri's Marseille loan didn't go to plan(Image: David Rogers, Getty Images)
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Villa have previously capitalised on a player discarded by a 'big six' club, with Rogers himself allowed to leave Manchester City as a youngster. Nwaneri might not be an identical player but they may look at that pathway to the top as one he can repeat.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly is another player, alongside Nwaneri, whose Arsenal future seemed unclear due to pure profit considerations. Speculation about a possible departure surfaced earlier in the campaign, but his impressive end to the season may have altered that trajectory.
Following a promising debut season at left-back, the England international found opportunities limited due to Riccardo Calafiori's form and fitness, plus Piero Hincapie's arrival. However, Lewis-Skelly had previously featured in academy matches in midfield, and Arteta showed faith in him there during crucial late-season fixtures.
The 19 year old only started two Champions League knockout matches, but these were the semi-final second leg and the final, while he was also trusted in vital late-season league victories against Fulham and West Ham. A transfer in the opposite direction to Rogers remains possible, albeit less likely than it did a few months ago.
Ben White
Lewis-Skelly's fellow defender White is another who has found playing time more difficult to secure this term. Jurrien Timber's excellent form meant breaking into the right side of the Gunners' back four would have proved challenging for anyone, while Arteta seemingly no longer views him as a centre-back option despite the £50m man excelling there for former club Brighton.
An injury picked up during the West Ham clash in early May brought White's season to a premature close, ruling him out of the Champions League final. The England star's injury history could deter potential suitors, especially considering the energy levels required in his interpretation of the right-back role.
Nevertheless, there have been sufficient encouraging signs during the latter half of this campaign that a club of Villa's standing might be willing to take a punt. That said, those very same standout performances could persuade Arteta that retaining White for at least another season makes sense.
Fabio Vieira
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 16: Fabio Vieira of Hamburger SV HSV looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hamburger SV at BayArena on May 16, 2026 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Jan Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Fabio Vieira has spent the last season on loan at Hamburg(Image: Jan Fromme - firo sportphoto, Getty Images)
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This one's a bit more speculative, but hear us out. Vieira has spent this term on loan at Hamburg, with the German outfit holding an option to make the arrangement permanent, though reports from the continent indicate they're hoping to negotiate a reduced fee.
This scenario could present an opportunity for Villa to make their move. While the ex-Porto playmaker didn't seem physically suited to Arsenal's demands, Emery has extracted plenty of value from Emi Buendia - himself not the most physically imposing - and might view Vieira in a similar light.
Gabriel Jesus
Brazilian striker Jesus appears set to depart North London this summer after a four-year spell, having slipped down the pecking order. He's not anticipated to command a hefty fee either, with only 12 months left on his deal, while recent injuries may drive the price down further.
Villa bolstered their attacking options in January by bringing back Tammy Abraham, though the ex-Roma striker only scored three times during his second spell with the club. Should they be seeking additional depth and Premier League know-how, Jesus might fit the bill perfectly.
Martin Odegaard
Despite Odegaard's stature in North London, an exit is not beyond the realms of possibility. Arsenal skipper Odegaard was reportedly facing potential departure back in March and the previously mentioned financial balancing act might force the club to consider offloading him.
However, the Norwegian's own words following the Champions League final indicate it would be a considerable challenge for another Premier League side to lure him away. "There is nothing to say at the moment, I am under contract here and really happy here and hopefully I can stay many years," the former Real Madrid ace said.