Arsenal Pushing Hard for Rogers as Arteta Plots Summer Overhaul

Arsenal have cranked up their efforts to land Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers this summer, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirming the Gunners are making tangible headway in their push for the attacking midfielder.

Romano has consistently identified Rogers as the focal point of Arsenal's summer recruitment drive, describing him as the "number one, two and three target" for Mikel Arteta's side. The Italian journalist revealed that while negotiations between the clubs remain in their infancy, Arsenal have already made encouraging strides in winning over the player himself.

"They made very good progress on the player's side," Romano explained on his YouTube channel. "Arsenal are working hard on a deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa. They are in conversations; they are in negotiations. The deal is absolutely on."

The 24-year-old's profile has understandably caught Arsenal's attention. Following their Premier League title triumph and Champions League final appearance last season, the north London club are determined to strengthen further. Rogers, who is part of England's 2026 World Cup squad, represents exactly the calibre of talent Arteta wants to build around.

Villa, however, are unlikely to make life easy. The Midlands outfit have no intention of actively pushing Rogers out and are holding firm on a £100million asking price. That means the club-to-club negotiations are expected to prove considerably more complex than the player's apparent willingness to make the switch.

"The player is also very tempted about this possibility to go to Arsenal," Romano noted. "The project is ambitious. They won the Premier League last season, Champions League finalists till the penalties, so the feeling is very good between Morgan Rogers and Arsenal."

Romano added that while early-stage discussions continue between the two clubs, he expects Arsenal to prioritise Rogers as their main focus when the summer window opens in earnest.

Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs corroborated the story, confirming on social media that Rogers tops Arsenal's wish list and that the player is keen on the move. Arsenal are now expected to table a formal bid as talks intensify.

The Emirates outfit have shown they're willing to back Arteta's ambitions with significant investment. Whether Villa's valuation can be bridged remains to be seen, but Romano's latest update suggests this one has genuine traction.