Arsenal have identified Aston Villa attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers as their primary forward target this summer, with a formal approach to Villa now expected — though any deal is likely to surpass £100m.

Sky Sports News understands no club-to-club talks have taken place between the two sides yet, but Arsenal's interest is expected to grow in intensity following England's exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026 and after the Gunners secured a £34m deal for Christos Tzolis.

The fee threshold reflects the premium the market has set this window. Deals for midfielders including Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali have already driven transfer benchmarks higher, and Rogers is expected to command a similarly significant sum.

Villa's strong negotiating hand

Aston Villa have been unequivocal: they do not want to sell Rogers. The 23-year-old signed a new contract last November, keeping him at Villa Park until 2031, and manager Unai Emery's side are under no financial pressure to let him go.

Rogers arrived from Middlesbrough in 2024 for £16m and has since transformed into a key England international, earning 21 caps. Last season he registered 14 goals and 11 assists across 55 appearances for Villa — numbers that have attracted attention well beyond north London.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain are all monitoring Rogers, making Arsenal's pursuit all the more competitive.

Rogers and the left-wing question

With Leandro Trossard departing and Christos Tzolis arriving, manager Mikel Arteta is seeking to upgrade Arsenal's left flank. Rogers — whose profile has been built primarily as a No. 10 — is being considered for that wide role, with Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze already occupying central positions at the club.

The numbers support the idea. Approximately 45 percent of Rogers' Premier League minutes for Villa last season came as a left winger, and Unai Emery's fluid system — which also featured Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn in the attacking third — gave Rogers consistent exposure in wide areas.

Throughout his career, Rogers has shown considerable positional versatility. He operated as a winger at Lincoln City, featured as a false nine and centre-forward at Middlesbrough, and played on the right wing during England's FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat to Argentina — providing the assist for Anthony Gordon's goal. At 23, his adaptability gives Arteta reason to believe a left-wing transition is entirely viable.

Other targets in Arsenal's sights

Arsenal also retain an interest in Julian Alvarez, though a deal appears difficult. Alvarez's family preference to remain in Spain and his own desire to join Barcelona present significant obstacles.

Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola is another forward on Arsenal's radar, with Liverpool also monitoring him closely. No club-to-club contact has taken place, but the parameters of a potential deal have reportedly been explored. PSG, however, are reluctant to sell Barcola — and his future may ultimately depend on what moves they themselves make before the window closes. PSG have been linked with winger Yan Diomande of RB Leipzig, as well as Alvarez and Rogers.