Arsenal have admired Morgan Rogers for a long time, but are more likely to make a move for his Aston Villa teammate Jacob Ramsey this summer, Arsenal Insider understands.
Rogers enjoyed an exceptional season for the Villans in 2024/25, netting 14 goals and registering 13 assists across all competitions.
After the West Midlands club missed out on Champions League football, the England international’s form has unsurprisingly sparked interest from several clubs, including the Gunners and Liverpool.
Arsenal were linked with Rogers in early May, and Mikel Arteta is known to be fond of the player, although the North Londoners would have to stump up a significant fee to land his services.
Arsenal are admirers of Morgan Rogers but are unlikely to sign him
Martin Odegaard struggled at times last season, and thus, many Arsenal fans feel Arteta’s squad needs another creative midfielder added to it to alleviate the pressure on the Norwegian.
Eberechi Eze has been loosely linked with Arsenal, while Xavi Simons has also been mooted as a potential option who could fill this void in the Gunners’ squad.
However, Andrea Berta is yet to make a move for either of these players, and Rogers has now emerged as the more likely acquisition, with the Times reporting that Arsenal have just added the player to their shortlist.
That said, transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that Rogers isn’t looking to leave Villa Park this summer and that he’s unlikely to join Arsenal.
“I don’t think he’s just been added to the list,” he said.
“Arsenal have been aware of Morgan Rogers since he was at Middlesbrough. They like him as a player, although I don’t particularly see where he fits in. He’s going to play in that number 10 role, a role which doesn’t exist in Arsenal’s team.
“He’s also on the list for Liverpool, and I don’t think Villa have any intention of letting him go, though. And I think, being a World Cup year, I don’t think he’s quite ready to move now when he’s very settled at Villa and playing regularly.
“He doesn’t want to disturb his progression at Villa, and he’ll be very, very expensive. We’re talking Jack Grealish money for Rogers.
“Arsenal have liked him for a very long time, they haven’t just suddenly woken up to him.”
Surprisingly, Bailey put forward another Villa midfielder who he believes Arsenal are more likely to make a move for.
“Jacob Ramsey is a player they’ve liked for a very long time, and if I was to sit here and suggest which of the two Arsenal might sign this summer, I’d say Ramsey would be more likely, because he’s suited to that left-hand side slightly more.”
Should Arsenal sign Morgan Rogers or Jacob Ramsey this summer?
Arsenal clearly need to provide Odegaard with some cover and competition, and perhaps with someone who can complement him in the middle of the park.
As a pure number ten who occasionally plays on either wing, there isn’t really an obvious position for Rogers in Arsenal’s team.
Conversely, Ramsey is a similar profile, but is more capable of playing as an eight and has a left-sided leniency.
| Statistical Comparison 2024/25 (League Only) | ||
| Stat | Rogers | Ramsey |
| Appearances | 37 | 29 |
| Goals | 8 | 1 |
| Assists | 10 | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 73.2% | 84.8% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 3.55 | 3.78 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 1.47 | 1.05 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.24 | 1.67 |
| Shots per 90 | 1.59 | 1.05 |
| Progressive Carries per 90 | 3.29 | 3.39 |
Villa would also likely demand significantly less money for the 24-year-old than Rogers, making the former an appealing potential squad option for Arteta and Berta to explore.
However, with an out-and-out winger and a marquee striker required, the North Londoners should certainly not be allocating their resources towards an extortionate move for Rogers.
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