Aston Villa and England star Morgan Rogers has been linked with a summer move to Premier League champions Arsenal after a brilliant season for Unai Emery's side
Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers insists he is staying focused amid transfer links with Arsenal. Mikel Arteta's side are interested in signing the England international as they look to upgrade their attacking options.
Sources have told football.london that the Gunners are interested in a move for Rogers ahead of what is gearing up to be an ambitious summer in north London. The attacking midfielder has been linked with a move to Arsenal for some time, with Arteta's men expected to strengthen ahead of their Premier League title defence next season.
And the 23-year-old has now had his say on the transfer speculation. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, Rogers has insisted that the talk will not distract him as he prepares to play for England at this summer's World Cup finals in North America.
He said: "I think the first time it ever happened, you are in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you and you’re not quite realising it.
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"But as you get older and you are getting experience along the way, you know that comes with it. Ninety-five per cent of it is just noise, you hear it of course you do, you can’t help not.
"You know it is there but you have got to use it as a positive way. You have got to get on with your game and just focus."
Recent reports from The Athletic have claimed that Rogers is not pushing for a move away from Villa Park this summer. However, it is said that there is an acceptance that now could be the right time for a fresh challenge.
It is claimed that the Villans could demand as much as £100million for Rogers this summer. The West Midlands club are reportedly pointing to the same fee agreed for Jack Grealish when he left Villa to join Manchester City in the summer of 2021.
Villa's negotiating power will have been strengthened by their qualification for the next season's Champions League under Unai Emery. The Claret and Blues finished fourth in the Premier League after lifting the Europa League.
And this is not the first time that Rogers' future has been the subject of speculation. The forward was linked with a move away from Villa last summer.
It has been reported that Emery asked Rogers to remain at the club for at least one more season, which the player is said to have accepted.
Rogers’ situation is complicated by a sell-on clause held by Middlesbrough. The Championship club included a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal, which saw him move to Villa for an initial £8m, plus up to £7m more in add-ons. That clause is likely to increase Villa’s asking price, with Manchester United also strong admirers.
Responding to transfer speculation over Rogers’ future last month, Emery said that the player was concentrating on the task at hand .
The 54-year-old said: “He is focused. He is here with us for two years, and he is being consistent.
“He is playing consistently and demanding. As well, he knows how he is getting his progress and how the team needs him playing in different positions.
“He is versatile, playing on the left or in the number 10 as a second striker. He can play good or bad on the left side, or play good or bad in the middle or on the right.”
