Rogers Ready for Emirates Switch as Arsenal Eye Villa Playmaker in Summer Overhaul

Morgan Rogers has given the green light to a move to Arsenal, with the Aston Villa playmaker ready to link up with Mikel Arteta at the Emirates next season, according to reports from two separate sources.

The Gunners are planning a significant summer recruitment drive and have zeroed in on Rogers as a key target. Villa, buoyed by their Europa League triumph and preparing for Champions League football in 2026/27, have indicated they would entertain offers for the 23-year-old.

BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel first reported that Rogers was open to the prospect of joining the north London club. This assessment has now been corroborated by journalist Jamie Dickenson, who revealed on X that Arsenal have marked the England international down as "a prime target."

Dickenson's post on June 2 stated: "Morgan Rogers has given the thumbs up to joining Arsenal in a blockbuster summer move. Rogers is open to joining the Arsenal squad ahead of next season after their Premier League winning campaign. Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy are already working on replacements and have identified the £100m rated Rogers as a prime target. The Gunners are also in the market for another forward or two depending on player sales and are considering another central midfielder and a full-back."

Rogers operates primarily as an attacking midfielder but possesses the versatility to operate on the left wing. This season, the 23-year-old has been prolific for Unai Emery's side, netting 14 goals and laying on 12 assists across 55 matches in all competitions.

The Rogers Effect

Villa's Ollie Watkins has become one of Rogers' biggest admirers, speaking glowingly of his teammate's abilities during an appearance on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube channel. "I always say to him or sometimes I say to the boys, 'Look for Morgan. Give him the ball.' Because I know, if Morgan gets the ball, he's going to look for me," Watkins explained. "But not only that—not selfishly because of me—but because he's a player who can create things from nothing. He's very talented, he's always going to look forward and he's probably not going to get the ball and play it backwards. He's going to try and create something and make things happen."

Emery himself has been effusive in his praise. Following Rogers' two-goal performance against Manchester United on December 21, 2025, the Villa boss told ESPN: "We need the numbers of the players and today and last week Morgan Rogers is performing fantastically, but he has started the season not getting numbers but playing well. Always doing his task, always with the commitment he's showing, with the attitude he has, played each match. Today he did the same and scored goals, of course. He is the protagonist. I'm so, so happy because he's a fighter. He's a good guy, very good guy. His commitment with Aston Villa is massive, and his attitude every day is really fantastic. And when he's getting numbers like today, of course we are very proud of everybody, but especially today with him."

A Word of Warning

Not everyone is convinced the move represents a step forward for Rogers. Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has cautioned the midfielder against making the switch, citing Eberechi Eze's experience as a cautionary tale. Keys posted on X: "I know Villa can be 'resolute' as well but if I'm Morgan Rogers I'm not going anywhere near Arsenal. He should ask Eze how he feels about his move. I guess if he did sign he could do that sitting next to him on the bench. Football is to be enjoyed not endured."