Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn has issued a stark warning to his old club and their London rivals Chelsea, suggesting they may have already missed their golden opportunity to sign Aston Villa's rising star, Morgan Rogers.
Villa's Valuable Asset
The 23-year-old forward, who joined Aston Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for £15 million, has developed into one of the Premier League's most exciting talents under manager Unai Emery. Rogers has produced an impressive 20 goals and 20 assists in 87 appearances for the Midlands club, establishing himself as a crucial part of Villa's setup.
His outstanding form was recognised earlier this month when he signed a new long-term contract, committing his future to Villa until 2031. This development has significantly strengthened Villa's negotiating position, with the club now valuing their star asset at a staggering £100 million and making him one of the squad's top five earners.
European Giants Looming
Winterburn believes that Arsenal and Chelsea's hesitation in the previous transfer window could prove costly. The 61-year-old pundit told BetBrain that if Rogers maintains his current trajectory, European powerhouses like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are likely to enter the fray.
"I think Aston Villa would claim that they're a big European club!" Winterburn stated. "However, if you're talking about joining the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, then Rogers just has to continue doing what he's doing and what he knows he's good at."
He added: "There's a lot of talented players in his position around Europe at the moment but if Rogers maintains those levels of performances, then his name will get put up there by both the press and other fans, and the so-called 'elite' clubs will eventually come looking."
Rogers' Villa Commitment
Despite the growing interest, Rogers appears content at Villa Park, describing the club as "home" after signing his new deal. The England international, who was last season's PFA Young Player of the Season, expressed his delight at the contract extension.
"I'm so happy," Rogers said. "The faith from the people at the club is a really nice feeling, and I couldn't wait to sign. I'm really happy. It's home. Being from the area makes it that bit sweeter, but the manager, the players, the staff, everyone here is so warm and welcoming every day."
He emphasised that enjoying his football remains his priority, stating: "The most important thing for me is enjoying my football and being able to express myself. There's no reason why I wouldn't want to stay here."
While Unai Emery will be reluctant to lose such an important player, Winterburn acknowledges that Rogers has developed into a "terrific player who would add to a lot of big teams in the Premier League and beyond." For now, Arsenal and Chelsea must watch from afar as the young star's value and reputation continue to soar.
