The former Boro forward looks set for a role in England's World Cup campaign this summer
14:37, 01 Apr 2026
Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa
Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
Aston Villa’s battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League could be of interest to Middlesbrough - with the outcome likely dependent on the future of Morgan Rogers.
Boro have a battle of their own with seven games remaining this season. Currently sitting second, they’re closer than they’ve been for nine years to making a return to the Premier League.
Despite that, there will still be interest from Boro officials in matters in the top flight this season, with Villa currently sitting in the fourth and final Champions League spot, five points ahead of Liverpool with seven games remaining.
That’s because Boro have a significant sell-on fee attached to the deal they made with Aston Villa in January 2024. And the suggestions are that if Villa fail to qualify for the Champions League next term then they may be forced to sell their prized asset.
Rogers is contracted at Villa Park until 2031. But they’ve had well-documented struggles with PSR and would have to cut their wage bill in the summer if they didn’t manage to qualify for Europe’s premier club competitions.
That would mean Boro would financially benefit, as a result of that sell-on clause. While it’s not known exactly what percentage of a sale fee that Boro would be due, it was described at the time of the sale as ‘significant’, and is understood to be above 10%.
Though Villa might need to sell the England international this summer, they would demand a huge fee to do so, it is understood. And the more the better as far as Boro’s finances are concerned.
Interestingly, as well as Chelsea, Manchester United are also strongly being credited with interest in the 23-year-old as Michael Carrick continues to impress and is tipped by many to land the head coach role at Old Trafford permanently.
Carrick was of course in charge at Boro when Rogers was signed. He then helped develop the forward into a player who was sold for more than ten times the amount Boro paid Man City for him just six months earlier. Rogers has since praised Carrick for his influence on his career.
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