Liverpool begin process to sign high-flying England star: report

Liverpool have opened exploratory talks with the representatives of Aston Villa and England attacker Morgan Rogers as the club begin mapping out a post-Mohamed Salah future, according to a fresh report.

Caught Offside, citing a transfer insider, claims that initial contact has already been made to “test the water” over a summer move for the 23-year-old, and crucially “the door wasn’t shut” on the Reds. The same source adds that Rogers, capped 12 times by England since his November 2024 debut, is “open to all proposals” once the season closes, a stance that could ignite a bidding war involving Chelsea and Manchester United, both long-term admirers.

Rogers has been one of the Premier League’s breakout stars this term, scoring ten goals and supplying seven assists for Unai Emery’s third-placed Villa, form that earned him the No. 80 spot in FourFourTwo’s 2025 list of the world’s best players. Valued at €70 million by Transfermarkt, the former Middlesbrough winger still has five years remaining on the contract he extended only last November after joining Villa for £15 million in February 2024.

For Liverpool, the interest is rooted in more than mere admiration. With Salah set to turn 34 this summer and entering the final 12 months of his Anfield deal, Fenway Sports Group accept that a long-term successor must be secured. Despite patching up a public spat over game-time before the Egyptian departed for the Africa Cup of Nations, the club hierarchy recognise that a transition period is looming, especially after a league campaign that has seen last season’s champions slide to sixth, 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Villa’s position is equally intriguing. Champions League qualification would allow them to offer Rogers top-tier European football, strengthening their hand when elite Premier League clubs come calling. Yet Liverpool’s early approach signals intent: the recruitment staff view Rogers’ age, direct style and goal threat as an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s system, believing he could ultimately inherit Salah’s wide-right throne.

Whether Aston Villa entertain negotiations, or demand a fee that dwarfs the €70 million valuation, will shape one of the summer’s most-watched transfer sagas. For now, Liverpool have fired the opening shot, and Rogers, eyes fixed on a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, is listening.

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