Arsenal are still intent on landing their number one attacking target, but the price could remain a problem. The Gunners have made Piero Hincapie's move permanent and added free agent Illan Meslier, but they are yet to do any big business this summer.
Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have their priorities clearly set out, with a left-winger and a new number 8 sitting atop the summer wishlist. But those positions are not easy to fill, and especially not for anything close to cheap.
In Arsenal's case, with such upgrades required, the price is going to be that much more, and in eyeing Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, they are clearly not looking to save money.
Romano on Rogers to Arsenal talks and huge asking price
Morgan RogersCaean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Arsenal's bid to land Rogers this summer, with the versatile 'superstar' still at the World Cup with England currently.
"Arsenal want to sign a top winger," he said on his YouTube show. "The name, the top priority they have in mind remains Morgan Rogers. Arsenal want to sign Morgan Rogers. The agreement with the player, from my understanding, is quite close, it's something that Arsenal see as close, not a problem, but Aston Villa start at £130million.
"This could eventually be negotiated. We will see, but Villa start at £130million for Morgan Rogers, so very expensive. We have to see what's going to happen in the club-to-club conversations, but Arsenal are working on the Morgan Rogers deal as a top priority."
Arsenal will be hoping to lower their fee, but the final fee is certain to be over the club's record £105million of Declan Rice even if Villa do compromise.
Rogers deal could force Arsenal compromise
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta watching on
Arsenal are not afraid to spend big, and we have seen them commit gigantic spending totals over the last couple of years. Club profits mean such spending can be continued to an extent, but Profit and Sustainability rules mean some players will need to be sold if another £200million or so is going to be spent this summer.
The Gunners also want to sign a number 8 this summer, and Bruno Guimaraes, for instance, is going to cost around £90million, or £80million on the ambitious side.
If Arsenal are going to spend £130million on Rogers, it is going to make things difficult to sign such an expensive midfielder, and signing both could pressure them into making a significant sale beyond the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, who are likely to leave in any case. The Rogers deal is going to be an interesting decision to make for Arsenal if that £130million price tag holds strong.
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