ARSENAL are weighing up a dramatic swoop for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
The Gunners were already monitoring Rogers closely as they searched for a new forward to challenge Gabriel Martinelli.
And news of Kai Havertz’s knee injury has only increased the likelihood that Arsenal will go back into the market before the transfer window closes.
Rogers, 23, would offer high quality and great versatility with his ability to play across all four advanced positions in boss Mikel Arteta’s preferred formation.
Arteta personally congratulated Rogers when he received his PFA Young Player of the Year award in Manchester on Tuesday night.
But Villa are determined to hold on to the England international.
The Midlanders have no need to shift more players in order to meet Premier League and Uefa financial rules after selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £40m and loaning Leon Bailey to Roma.
They value Rogers at £80m and are unlikely to entertain offers below that price.
When SunSport revealed earlier in the summer that Rogers was a prime target for Chelsea, there was talk of Villa offering him a lucrative new contract in order to ward off interest from the Blues and others.
Whatever happens, Arsenal are now under pressure to sign another forward despite spending more than £200m on new signings already this summer.
With Havertz out for an unspecified period, Viktor Gyokeres is now Arteta’s only recognised striker.
If Arteta wants a central forward to cover for Havertz’s absence and put pressure on Gyokeres, then Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez or even Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson would be options.
With former target Eberechi Eze set to join Spurs, Arsenal’s options for a wide player would include Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Real Madrid star Rodrygo – although the latter is regarded as highly unlikely.
But if the Gunners want a player who could contribute in a variety of roles before and after Havertz is fit again, Rogers would be a prime candidate.
Breaking Villa’s resolve on Rogers before the window closes on September 1 will be very difficult.
Boss Unai Emery does want to add more firepower and is interested in Jackson, whom he coached at previous club Villarreal.
Although Villa are no longer under pressure to sell, if they want to strengthen Emery’s squad they will need to raise money from moving players on.
Meanwhile Chelsea want to sell Jackson, rather than agree a loan deal with an option or obligation to buy.
Havertz’s injury has added a new level of intrigue to the last 12 days of the transfer window and Rogers is very much on Arsenal’s radar.
