Arsenal target Morgan Rogers for up to £80 million and weigh up Greek alternative

Arsenal want a left winger this summer. It is not speculation – it is a stated club priority. And the name drawing most of the Gunners’ attention right now is Morgan Rogers, the Aston Villa attacking midfielder who enjoyed one of his best Premier League seasons.

The race for Rogers: high price, heavy competition

Villa are willing to listen to offers, but they will not part with the player for less than £80 million. That is the figure doing the rounds behind the scenes, and the Birmingham club has arguments to justify the asking price: Rogers signed a renewal until 2031 last November, which puts the Villans in a comfortable position to negotiate without rushing.

So far, there has been no direct contact between Arsenal and Aston Villa. The interest is still in the mapping phase – checking conditions, understanding feasibility, testing the ground. But Villa’s qualification for the Champions League, according to sources close to the deal, should not be a decisive factor in Rogers’ future. The forward has other admirers: Chelsea and Manchester United are also on the radar.

Plan B: Tzolis, of Club Brugge, for a record fee in Belgium

Alongside the chase for Rogers, Arsenal are weighing up a more affordable alternative – at least in terms of price tag. Christos Tzolis, the Greek left winger of Club Brugge, is on the Londoners’ map. The estimated cost is around £34 million, which would be a historic record for Belgian football.

The obstacle, however, is real. Brugge do not want to sell. Tzolis is only 24 and renewed until 2029 last summer – a clear sign that the Belgian club plans to keep him longer. Forcing an exit will require more than a generous offer.

Exits on the horizon: Jesus, Martinelli and Trossard could leave the Emirates

Arsenal’s activity is not limited to arrivals. At least one “important player” is expected to leave in this window, according to internal information. In the attacking sector, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have only one year left on their contracts – although the club holds an extension option on Martinelli.

All three could go, but none will leave for free. For Jesus, Arsenal expect to receive between £18 and £20 million. Trossard turns 32 in December. Martinelli and Jesus saw their playing time shrink drastically last season. If the club signs reinforcements in attack, the tendency is for at least one of these pieces to leave north London.

Ethan Nwaneri is another name to watch. The 19-year-old spent the second half of the season on loan at Marseille but struggled to establish himself – his commitment was even questioned by the French club’s manager. He signed a new deal with Arsenal until 2030 last August, but his future remains uncertain.

Ben White is also in an undefined situation. The right-back is recovering from a medial ligament injury and should be available for pre-season – but English and European clubs are still keeping an eye on him. Any decision about him may also depend on the severity of Jurrien Timber’s groin injury, which forced him to withdraw from the Netherlands squad during the World Cup. If Timber is out for a long time, White could gain new strategic value within the squad.