Morgan Rogers has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, but the Aston Villa star's price tag could prove to be a problem.
08:00, 05 Jul 2026
Morgan Rogers #17 of England looks on during an England Training Session at Swope Soccer Village on July 02, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas
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Morgan Rogers has been linked with a move to Arsenal(Image: Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Arsenal could save almost £100m by signing Marcus Rashford instead of Morgan Rogers. The Aston Villa attacking midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his artillery, but his price tag could prove to be a problem.
football.london understands that the Gunners are interested in signing Rogers, whose contract at Villa Park doesn't expire until June 2031. Eager to defend the Premier League title and take another stab at the Champions League, the Arsenal boss wants to bolster his frontline, as well as sign a new midfielder and full-back.
As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not Andrea Berta lodges a bid for the England international, who could command an eye-watering nine-figure fee. According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have priced Rogers at £130m, which is £5m more than the British record Liverpool paid Newcastle United for Alexander Isak last year.
If the Gunners were to meet the valuation, it would also make the 23-year-old midfielder the third-most expensive signing in history behind only Neymar (£200m) and Kylian Mbappe (£165m). Although Rogers would significantly bolster the Arsenal starting lineup, it wouldn't be great value for money.
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Instead, for a fraction of the price, the Gunners could sign Rashford. If Eberechi Eze were to be considered as a left-winger and the Manchester United forward were to join Arsenal, Arteta would have the luxury of two different elite profiles for one position.
The Spaniard would then have greater tactical freedom. For instance, when Arteta anticipates that the opposition will play a low-block, the former Crystal Palace talisman would start. But if the Gunners were to come up against a team that wants to dominate possession, meaning they likely need to play on the counter-attack and exploit transitions, Rashford would start.
Rogers, despite his great quality, wouldn't offer the same flexibility. Not to mention that Arsenal could save almost £100m, freeing up cash to invest in other areas of the pitch.
Marcus Rashford of England celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 4-2 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
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Marcus Rashford has spent 18 months in exile from Old Trafford after being placed in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad'.(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
According to The Athletic, Barcelona did not activate the €30m (£26m) option-to-buy clause, which expired on Monday, in Rashford's season-long loan deal. The 28-year-old, whose contract at Old Trafford expires in June 2028, featured 49 times for the Catalan outfit across all competitions last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists.
Rashford played a key role in Hansi Flick's side as they won La Liga. The report claims the England international will return to Carrington after the World Cup, but it's unclear where his future lies.
It's said a return to the Camp Nou can't be ruled out, but the Red Devils plan to only entertain permanent offers. The Athletic reckon there's a £40m release clause available to potential suitors, apart from Manchester City and Liverpool.
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Berta shouldn't think twice about activating the clause. Not only would Rashford be a great addition, but Arsenal would also be able to set aside funds to further bolster other areas of the pitch...
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