Morgan Rogers: Aston Villa react to Man United target’s summer exit

Birmingham, 24 June — Aston Villa have privately acknowledged that “this summer is probably the right time to part ways” with Morgan Rogers, The Sun reports, opening the door for a potential £100 million-plus scramble involving Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 23-year-old, signed from Middlesbrough for an initial £8 million in February 2024, has become Villa’s match-winner-in-chief, scoring ten goals and supplying seven assists to keep Unai Emery’s side in fourth place—one point behind third-placed United. His knack for spectacular long-range efforts has already swung multiple results, turning draws into victories and salvaging points from seemingly lost causes.

Rogers, a 6’1″ Manchester City academy graduate, is also a central figure in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans, having started ahead of Jude Bellingham during a flawless World Cup qualifying campaign. That international stature, combined with Premier League productivity, has intensified interest from the division’s traditional powers.

Villa’s stance has long been that only an “eye-watering” bid exceeding £100 million would force them to negotiate. Yet an “understanding” now exists between club and player that a move would suit all parties. Rogers, who signed a six-year deal last November, is “open to leaving” if it means joining “one of the Premier League’s biggest hitters” and competing for major silverware on a regular basis.

Manchester United’s pursuit is complicated by the uncertain future of captain Bruno Fernandes, who has a £57 million release clause for foreign clubs and serious interest from Saudi Arabia. Should Fernandes depart, Old Trafford chiefs view Rogers as a ready-made, homegrown replacement capable of operating across the frontline.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal retain long-standing admiration for the attacker, while Spurs monitor developments as they weigh their own rebuild. With the World Cup looming and Rogers virtually assured of a seat on the plane, any deal is expected to accelerate after England’s tournament concludes.

For Villa, the prospect of losing their primary creative force is softened by the likelihood of a nine-figure windfall that would fund Emery’s squad overhaul and soften the blow of missing Champions League qualification for a second straight season.