Arsenal have been warned they must pay up to £100m to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, with former Villa defender Alan Hutton describing the 23-year-old as the club's 'heartbeat'. The Gunners are reportedly targeting the midfielder as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad this summer after a heartbreaking Champions League final loss and a Premier League title near-miss.
Rogers Key to Villa's Ambitions
Rogers, who is under contract at Villa Park until June 2031, has been heavily linked with a move to north London. Football.london claims Arsenal have set their sights on the England international, who was instrumental in Aston Villa's strong start to last season. Until the turn of the year, Villa were genuine title contenders, sitting just three points behind the eventual champions, with Rogers helping secure victories over both Arsenal and Manchester City.
Despite a dip in form later in the campaign, Rogers' performances have made him a prized asset. Alan Hutton, speaking to PariuriX, said: 'I mean, if Villa were to sell, the figure I would go with is £100m. For one, I don't want to sell him. He's a massive asset for them. He's a massive part of what they do. He's under contract, and Emery loves him.'
£100m Valuation Defended
Hutton defended the hefty price tag, arguing that Rogers' unique skill set makes him indispensable. 'He can play in a number of positions, and for me, he's the link from the midfield to the attack,' Hutton said. 'When you look at Tielemans, Kamara and these kinds of guys who bring the ball forward from defence and give it to the likes of Morgan Rogers, I always feel you need someone who can dribble. You need a ball carrier. Somebody that can get you up the pitch, whether he plays in a 10 or from the left. He's always involved in everything that's good, and he's the guy that brings it all together for me.'
Hutton added: 'People might say that £100m is a lot of money, and it is, but some of the values that are getting bandied about at this moment in time is crazy. So I just feel for one of your top assets to be leaving when you don't want them to leave, it needs to be on a massive amount because I believe under Unai Emery and where he's taking this squad, what he's trying to do and build, they're only going to get better in my opinion.'
Arsenal's Transfer Challenge
Arsenal's director of football, Andrea Berta, has been cautioned that meeting Villa's valuation will require significant squad trimming and player sales. The Gunners are keen to add a new midfielder and full-back this summer, but such ambitions come with a hefty price tag. Hutton acknowledged the allure of a move to Arsenal, saying: 'Arsenal are a huge team that have won the league, and I do get the draw. Arteta, I think, is a fantastic manager as well, so I can see why his head might be turned for that reason, but it would have to be a huge figure to get him out of there.'
Rogers' Impact at Villa
Rogers joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024 and quickly became a key figure under Unai Emery. His dribbling ability and versatility—playing as a number 10 or from the left—have made him a fan favourite. Last season, he helped Villa achieve victories over top sides, including Arsenal and Manchester City, before the team eventually dropped off the title pace. Despite an opening run of five matches without a win, Villa were in contention for much of the campaign.
The 23-year-old's performances have also earned him recognition at international level, with England caps highlighting his growing reputation. As Arsenal prepare for the summer transfer window, the £100m price tag reflects Villa's determination to keep their star midfielder, who Hutton believes is the 'heartbeat' of the team.
