Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is determined not to rest on his laurels after delivering the Gunners' first Premier League title in 22 years. Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers is understood to be high on the Spaniard's list of priorities, but Villa boss Unai Emery is likely to want security that the England international can be replaced, potentially sanctioning a part-exchange deal.
Rogers' Value and Contract
Rogers, 23, is under contract at Villa Park until 2031 after agreeing an extension midway through last season. He is unlikely to come cheap, and Emery's side may decide to pursue one or more Arsenal players in an effort to sweeten the deal. Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be in the mix for the former Middlesbrough star, who joined his current club in February 2024. A return of 14 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season speaks to his quality, and it will be a tall order for Villa to make up for those numbers.
Potential Swap Candidates
Even so, they may feel there are several Arsenal players capable of meeting their needs. We have taken a closer look at a few of those names.
Gabriel Martinelli
In discussions of which first-team players might leave Arsenal this summer, the name of Gabriel Martinelli has come up a fair amount. The Brazilian has been a loyal servant under Mikel Arteta but is arguably more dispensable than some of his peers. Martinelli has played more than 50 times in all competitions this term but at an average of just 45 minutes per appearance. He started just one of the Gunners' last six league games and began on the bench for the Champions League final and the second leg of the semi against Atletico Madrid. The upside for Villa is noticeable as well. Despite his significant big game experience, Martinelli is still just 24, while his ability to feature across the front line could suit Emery's side well after the Spanish boss similarly got good use out of loanee Marcus Rashford in the 2024/25 run-in.
Ethan Nwaneri
Speaking of loanees, Nwaneri spent the second half of the season with Marseille but things didn't go to plan. A change of managers at Stade Velodrome meant the playmaker saw his opportunities limited and wasn't able to show his parent club what they were missing. Nwaneri's status as a club-developed player means a sale would be banked as pure profit. It remains to be seen how important a factor that ends up being for Arsenal - this will likely depend on other sales - but could prove relevant. Villa have already benefited from one player allowed to leave by a 'big six' club, with Rogers offloaded by Manchester City before rebuilding on Teesside and then moving south. Might they see a similar route for Nwaneri?
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly is another, like Nwaneri, whose future appeared uncertain for those pure profit reasons. There was talk of a potential exit earlier in the season but his strong finish to the campaign may have changed that. After an impressive breakout season at left-back, the England international struggled for minutes thanks to Riccardo Calafiori's form and fitness and the arrival of Piero Hincapie. Lewis-Skelly played academy football in the middle of the park, though, and Arteta trusted him there in some big late-season games. The 19-year-old only started two Champions League knockout games but these were the semi-final second leg and the final, while he was also backed in key late-season league wins against Fulham and West Ham. A move in the opposite direction to Rogers is still possible but now looks far less likely than it did in the winter.
Ben White
Fellow defender White has, like Lewis-Skelly, found minutes harder to come by this term. The form of Jurrien Timber meant no one would have found it easy to slot in on the right of the Gunners' back four, while Arteta no longer appears to consider him a centre-back option despite the £50m impressing there for former club Brighton. An injury sustained against West Ham in early May ended White's season, ensuring he was unable to play a part in the Champions League final. The England international's injury record might put off any buying club, particularly given the level to which he has impressed as an all-action right-back. There have still been enough positive signs in the second half of this season that Villa might be tempted to chance their arm. However, those same impressive displays could be enough to convince Arteta he needs to keep hold of White for at least one more year.
Fabio Vieira
A bit more of a wildcard pick here. Vieira has spent the season on loan at Hamburg and the German side have an option to make the deal permanent, though reports on the continent suggest they're hopeful of negotiating a lower fee. This could open the door for Villa to pounce. While the former Porto star didn't appear to be the right physical fit for Arsenal, Emery has got plenty of change out of the slighter figure of Emi Buendia and may see Vieira in the same mould.
Gabriel Jesus
Brazilian frontman Jesus looks poised to leave North London this summer after four years, having fallen down the pecking order while battling back from serious injury. He isn't expected to cost too much, either, with just one year remaining on his contract. Villa added striker Tammy Abraham to their ranks in January but the former Roma man has blown hot and cold so far. If they want to add depth and Premier League experience, Jesus could be their man.
Martin Odegaard
An unlikely one but not an impossible one. Arsenal captain Odegaard was said to be at risk of an exit back in March. The aforementioned book-balancing might leave the club contemplating a sale but Odegaard's own comments after the Champions League final suggest it would be a tall order for another Premier League club to coax him away. "There is nothing to say at the moment, I am under contract here and really happy here and hopefully I can stay many years," the former Real Madrid ace said.
