Morgan Rogers to Arsenal transfer update as £55m deal agreed
Arsenal’s Hopes of Signing Morgan Rogers Dealt Major Blow Amid Aston Villa’s Financial Boost
Arsenal’s pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers has suffered a significant setback as a key financial obstacle that could have facilitated a potential transfer appears to have been removed.
The Gunners had been closely monitoring Rogers’ situation at Villa Park following his breakout season in the Premier League. Arsenal’s interest was initially sparked as the summer transfer window opened a month ago, with hopes that Villa’s financial pressure might make the 22-year-old available for the right price. Villa originally signed Rogers from Championship side Middlesbrough for around £15 million, a fee that is already proving to be a bargain. Since making the jump to top-flight football, Rogers has flourished, quickly adapting to the Premier League’s pace and physicality.
In all competitions, Rogers has racked up an impressive 54 appearances, contributing 14 goals and 15 assists, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s brightest young attacking midfielders. His meteoric rise was capped by a senior England debut during the 2024/25 campaign, further enhancing his profile and attracting suitors from top clubs like Arsenal.
Much of the speculation surrounding Rogers’ potential departure stemmed from Aston Villa’s precarious financial position. The Birmingham-based club had been at risk of falling foul of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), with the end-of-year financial deadline looming on June 30. The sale of a homegrown player like Rogers, who would represent pure profit in financial terms, was seen as a logical – albeit reluctant – option to ensure compliance with the league’s regulations.
However, those financial concerns have now been significantly eased, potentially shutting the door on a Rogers exit – at least for the time being. According to The Telegraph, Villa are finalising a deal to sell their women’s team in a move that could generate around £55 million. This transaction, if agreed in principle before the June 30 deadline and completed in early July, would allow Villa to include the proceeds in their 2024/25 financial accounts. As a result, the club would avoid any PSR-related penalties without needing to sacrifice a key asset like Rogers.
The deal reportedly involves the sale of 10% of the women’s team to external investors for £5.5 million, with the remaining 90% being transferred to the club’s own holding company. This internal restructuring provides Villa with a much-needed financial cushion, giving them newfound confidence heading into the new season.
While this development doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of a future transfer, it significantly complicates any immediate plans Arsenal may have had. Villa are now under no pressure to sell Rogers and are well-positioned to hold onto the talented midfielder, who is contracted to the club until 2030.
For Arsenal, this means any potential deal would likely require a substantial bid far above Rogers’ current market value – something they may be reluctant to entertain given other priorities in the squad.
Still, the door isn’t completely closed. Should Villa fail to secure Champions League qualification again in the near future – particularly in the 2025/26 season – they may revisit the idea of parting ways with valuable players to rebalance the books. In that scenario, Rogers’ name could resurface on Arsenal’s radar, especially if he continues to impress both domestically and on the international stage.
For now, however, Arsenal will likely need to turn their attention elsewhere, as Rogers looks set to remain an integral part of Aston Villa’s plans for the foreseeable future.