Villa are preparing to play hardball with any approach from Arsenal for Morgan Rogers.
The Premier League champions are emerging as the England international’s strongest suitors and are expected to firm up their interest after the World Cup.
But Villa have no desire to sell Rogers and it is believed an offer of at least £100million would be required to make them reconsider.
Co-owner Nassef Sawiris has a history of being a tough negotiator, famously refusing to sell Jack Grealish to Tottenham in 2018 when Villa were still in the Championship.
The club are similarly determined to hold on to Rogers and at the very least ensure he does not leave for anything less for market value.
Middlesbrough, who sold Rogers to Villa for an initial £8million in January 2024, have a sell-on clause which would see them receive 20 per cent of the profit on any fee received.
What happens with Rogers is likely to define Villa’s transfer business this summer, with the club again facing a balancing act to ensure they comply with Uefa’s financial rules.
Villa and Uefa are believed to have been in frequent dialogue after the club entered a three-year settlement agreement with European football’s governing body 12 months ago.
Though the groundwork has been done on several targets, including Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen, any big money moves are essentially on hold until the financial picture becomes clearer.
One early signing the club are looking to complete is for Flamengo right-back Emerson Royal, previously of Tottenham.
Boss Unai Emery wants a player who can provide cover and competition for Matty Cash and Royal is viewed as a good value deal, with Villa will to offer around £8m.
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