Why Arsenal have made Rogers their top forward target this summer

It takes something special to earn the trust of Unai Emery, force your way into Thomas Tuchel's England plans and attract the interest of Europe's elite. Morgan Rogers has done all three and that is why Arsenal are looking to make him their latest statement signing.

Sky Sports News understands the Gunners have made Rogers their top forward target this summer and an approach to Aston Villa is now expected.

The 23-year-old has quickly risen from a promising young talent in the top-flight to a fully fledged England international with talismanic status at Villa Park.

Rogers, signed in a deal worth £16m from Middlesbrough in 2024, was only out of the starting line-up for two games at Villa in the last two seasons but could now be leaving the club, with Europe's elite now circling.

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The queue to enquire about Rogers' services has been lengthy. Sky Sports News reported Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were among his other admirers alongside Arsenal - but it is the Premier League champions who have stepped up their interest in search of added firepower.

Here, Sky Sports dives into why Arsenal want Rogers, where he will fit and what fans can expect if a deal does come to fruition.

Why Arsenal want Rogers

Arsenal are prioritising the signing of a left-winger this summer. Leandro Trossard has joined Besiktas and their other option in the role, Gabriel Martinelli, also faces an uncertain future at the Emirates.

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Eberechi Eze, a marquee £67.5m signing from Crystal Palace last summer, is capable of playing in the role but 24 of his 33 appearances for Arsenal have arrived in the No 10 position.

Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Max Dowman have the right flank covered off - but if Arteta wants to maintain the same depth in his squad that guided them to the title, and go one step further in Europe, they will need added reinforcements on the opposite side.

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Where would he fit?

In 21 of his 37 appearances in the Premier League for Villa last season, Rogers started in a central role. However, should Arsenal secure his signature, they plan on using him out wide on the left.

It is a position and area of the pitch that Rogers is familiar with. He started 15 games on the left flank last season, scoring five goals and adding three assists, which is as many goal involvements as he managed in 21 games centrally.

The team sheet will read that Rogers plays centrally in the No 10 role but his finest moments arrive when cutting in from the left.

Outlining why Arsenal have identified him as a target for the role, should they be successful in their ambitious efforts to sign one of the premium talents in the English top-flight.

When playing in this role for Villa, Rogers displays a noticeable rise in his attacking output across all fronts. Goals, chances created, assists and shots all increase per game.

While instructions from Arteta would be far more rigid and bound to this side of the pitch, as opposed to the freedom he gets to drift from central areas to the left at Villa, it highlights that the England international is capable of producing if given the remit of the left-winger role.

Whether it is cutting in on his favoured right foot or driving towards the byline to facilitate his teammates, Rogers would offer Arsenal a presence down this side of the pitch that they have lacked.

Last season, only 33 per cent of their attacks were down the left, as opposed to 43 per cent down Bukayo Saka's right-hand side.

In comparison, with Rogers amongst their ranks and venturing down the left, Villa favoured that side by 37 per cent to 35 per cent on the right.

The marquee signing of Rogers would provide a whole other avenue for Arsenal to explore.

Do Arsenal have other options to turn to?

Villa do not want to sell Rogers and they are in a strong negotiating position after the forward signed a new contract, running until 2031, last November.

The club qualified for the Champions League after finishing fourth last season, while also winning the Europa League.

Fresh off the back of ending their 22-year wait for another league title, Arsenal are now looking to strengthen their attacking options, while keeping the spine of the Premier League-winning side intact.

Club-to-club talks are yet to begin for Rogers but Arsenal have done their due diligence on other potential targets, should a move for the Villa man fail to materialise.

They agreed a £34m deal for Club Brugge left-winger Tzolis - a record fee for the Belgian Pro League - who will operate as a replacement for Trossard.

They also remain interested in Julian Alvarez but a deal looks difficult to do, especially given the family's preference to remain living in Spain and Alvarez's wish to join Barcelona.

Forwards Rogers and Alvarez would be expected to fetch a value in excess of £100m, given the deals that have already been done in this window for midfielders such as Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.

Another forward Arsenal retain an interest in is Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, along with Liverpool.

Again, there has been no club-to-club contact between Arsenal and PSG - but the conditions of a deal have been explored.

PSG do not want to sell Barcola but his future is one to keep an eye on depending on the moves the Ligue 1 champions make in the window.

They have been actively trying to sign winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig and also have interest in Alvarez and Rogers.

The list is lengthy but the priority is clear. The Villa forward is Arsenal's top target this summer.

His proven Premier League quality and potential for further development make him the obvious choice but any move will be dependent on Villa's willingness to negotiate.