Villa demand British record £130m fee to sanction Morgan Rogers sale to Arsenal

Aston Villa will only sanction the sale of Morgan Rogers if Arsenal are prepared to smash the British transfer record with an offer of £130million, according to Monday’s newspapers. The Daily Mail reports that Villa remain adamant they do not want to lose the 23-year-old, and that only a fee of that magnitude would open talks over his future.

Rogers has become one of the most sought-after attacking talents in the Premier League following an impressive campaign at Villa Park, with his energy and end product understood to have caught the eye of Arsenal’s recruitment team. Setting a valuation at that level would represent a British record fee, underlining just how highly Unai Emery’s side rate the England international.

Villa dig in over prized asset

The suggestion that Villa are willing to entertain any offer at all, albeit at a huge premium, hints at the financial pressures many top-flight clubs continue to navigate under UEFA and Premier League spending rules. Even so, the eye-watering asking price appears designed to deter Arsenal, or any other suitor, from making a serious move without paying a substantial premium.

Rogers has established himself as a key figure for Villa since his move from Middlesbrough, and losing him would represent a significant blow to the club’s ambitions heading into the new season. Sky Sports has not independently verified the figure, but the report indicates Villa see the winger as central to their long-term plans.

Garnacho, Kroupi and Brentford’s midfield move

Elsewhere in Monday’s papers, Football.London reports that Chelsea are open to allowing Alejandro Garnacho to leave on a permanent deal, just a year after his move from Manchester United. The winger has failed to fully establish himself at Stamford Bridge and the Blues appear willing to sanction an exit this summer.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are reported to be preparing an £85million bid for Bournemouth’s French forward Eli Junior Kroupi, in a move that would test the Cherries’ resolve to keep hold of one of their most exciting attacking talents. Spurs are said to see the forward as a genuine option to strengthen their forward line ahead of the new campaign.

Read more: Tottenham plot £85m Kroupi bid as Salah linked with Atletico switch

Brentford have also been active in the market, having reportedly lodged a £19million bid for a midfielder, though full details of the target remain unclear at this stage. The Bees have been busy operators in recent windows and appear keen to bolster their squad depth once again this summer.