Arsenal are reportedly intensifying their efforts to sign Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, with Declan Rice and other England internationals playing a key role in persuading the 23-year-old to move to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have made the playmaker their top summer transfer priority.
According to the Daily Mail, both Arsenal and Chelsea are prepared to negotiate a deal in the region of £85 million. Villa may need to offload players to comply with financial regulations, though the club has stressed that Rogers remains central to their plans ahead of their Champions League return.
Rogers is said to be receptive to a switch to north London and keen to hear what the Premier League champions have to offer. Villa must also factor in a 20 per cent sell-on fee owed to Middlesbrough from his original move to Villa Park.
On international duty at the World Cup, Rice has reportedly been working to convince his England team-mate, with Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke also in the camp. Mikel Arteta is aiming to bring in four or five high-quality signings as Arsenal look to go one better next season and lift the Champions League trophy.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez also remains on Arsenal's radar. Sporting director Andrea Berta has a strong familiarity with the Argentinian, having personally secured his signature at Atletico from Manchester City. Additionally, Arsenal have been offered Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis, while Alex Scott has emerged as a target.
To fund their business, the Gunners may need to offload Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, all of whom have been linked with departures. There are also question marks over Ethan Nwaneri's future, while Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie are reportedly attracting interest.
