Arsenal can offer five stars in blockbuster Morgan Rogers swap deal | Football | Sport
Morgan Rogers has reportedly emerged as a top target for Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is eager to build on his side’s first Premier League title triumph in 22 years. Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers is believed to be firmly in the Spaniard’s sights, though Villa manager Unai Emery will likely demand assurances that the England international can be adequately replaced, potentially opening the door to a part-exchange deal.
Rogers, 23, is under contract at Villa Park until 2031 having penned an extension midway through last season. He will not come cheap and Emery’s side may look to acquire one or more Arsenal players as part of any potential agreement. His return of 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season underlines his considerable quality, and replacing those numbers will be no easy feat for Villa.
Here’s a look at five players Arsenal could throw into a deal to sign Rogers…
Martinelli’s name has surfaced repeatedly in conversations surrounding potential Arsenal exits this summer. He has been a loyal servant under Mikel Arteta but is arguably more expendable than some of his first-team colleagues.
The winger has featured more than 50 times across all competitions this season, yet has averaged just 45 minutes per appearance. He started only one of the Gunners’ last six league matches and found himself on the bench for both the Champions League final and the second leg of the semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
The potential benefits for Villa are plain to see. Despite his considerable experience in high-stakes matches, Martinelli is still only 24, while his versatility across the forward line could prove a valuable asset.
On the subject of loanees, Nwaneri spent the second half of the campaign at Marseille, though the spell failed to deliver as hoped. A managerial change left him starved of opportunities, preventing him from demonstrating his true worth to his parent club.
Nwaneri’s status as a club-developed player means any transfer fee would represent pure profit for Arsenal. How significant a factor that proves remains to be seen, but it could yet become a key consideration.
Villa have already reaped the rewards of snapping up a player discarded by a ‘big six’ club, with Rogers released by Manchester City before reinventing himself on Teesside and subsequently heading south.
The versatile defender has found first-team opportunities much harder to come by this season. The outstanding form of Jurrien Timber in particular has made it virtually impossible for anyone to dislodge him on the right side of the Gunners’ back four.
Ben White is one of five players who could leave Arsenal this summer (Image: Robbie Hoad/Every Second Media/Shutterstock)
A knock sustained against West Ham in early May brought White’s season to a premature close, ruling him out of any involvement in the Champions League final.
His injury history may give potential suitors cause for concern, particularly given the impressive manner in which he has performed as a dynamic right-back.
There have nonetheless been sufficient encouraging signs in the latter half of this season to tempt Villa into making a move. However, those very same standout performances could equally persuade Arteta that retaining White for at least another year remains the wisest course of action.
Something of a wildcard option here. Vieira has spent the campaign on loan at Hamburg, with the German club holding an option to make the deal permanent.
However, reports from the continent suggest they are keen to negotiate a reduced fee, which could present Villa with an opportunity to swoop.
While the former Porto man didn’t appear to suit Arsenal’s physical demands, Emery has extracted considerable value from the slight frame of Emi Buendia and may well view Vieira in a similar light.
Jesus looks set to depart north London this summer after four years at the club, having slipped down the pecking order while recovering from a serious injury.
He isn’t expected to command a hefty fee either, with just twelve months remaining on his contract.
Villa brought in striker Tammy Abraham during the January window, but the former Roma forward has produced inconsistent performances thus far.
Should they seek to bolster their squad with Premier League know-how, Jesus could prove the ideal acquisition.
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