Arsenal are plotting a move for a £100m-rated Premier League star after a deal to sign Morgan Rogers was hijacked by Chelsea, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
GMS sources revealed earlier this week that Arsenal were ready to ramp up their interest in the England international and present an opening bid to Aston Villa, but Chelsea have swooped in and agreed a £117m fee with their Premier League rivals to take the 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Rogers is set to sign a six-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, with Gunners chiefs now needing to look for alternative attacking options.
The north London outfit have already agreed a deal to sign Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, who will replace Besiktas-bound Leandro Trossard, after the 24-year-old had 51 goal involvements in 52 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian club last term.
However, Arteta still wants another high-profile attacker to come in to ensure that his squad is in the right place to try and win the double next season, as they look to go one step further in the Champions League and return to England with the trophy.
Arsenal Targeting Eli Junior Kroupi Move
AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
AFC Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
via Reuters
According to Jacobs, posting on X about Rogers' agreement to join Chelsea, Arsenal now have other attacking targets they could turn to in the aftermath of the disappointment of losing out on the England international.
While they have an appreciation for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, who could leave the Parc des Princes this summer as contract negotiations continue to stall, the Gunners also have other attacking targets, including Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi.
One separate report has claimed that Bournemouth will demand as much as £100m to sell the forward who had an outstanding breakthrough campaign in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old scored 13 goals in 33 English top flight appearances, netting all of those goals as a teenager.
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Arsenal Plotting Chelsea Transfer Hijack
Lacroixvia Reuters
Chelsea may have completed a transfer hijack on Arsenal for Rogers, but the Gunners could return the favour if reports are to be believed.
The Blues are hoping to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix this summer after Rogers, but now their north London neighbours are considering making their own move for the Frenchman.
Arsenal looked to be well-stocked in the centre-back position but the worrying injury suffered by William Saliba at the 2026 World Cup could force a rethink and a need to dip into the market.
A France international with good Premier League experience means that Lacroix would arrive at the Emirates Stadium full of pedigree, but it remains to be seen if Arsenal make their interest more concrete in the coming weeks.