Arsenal are said to be looking to make a big deal this summer for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rodgers, who is a huge fan of Mikel Arteta.
Morgan Rodgers has sent a message to Arsenal ahead of a potential move to the Gunners this summer. (Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))
Morgan Rodgers has already hinted at his admiration for Arsenal, revealing he considers him an elite player amid interest from Mikel Arteta. The Premier League champions are planning to invest again in their squad in the summer and are eyeing a blockbuster move for the England international.
The 23-year-old has flourished at Aston Villa since joining from Middlesbrough, establishing himself as a serious England international and lifting the Europa League trophy earlier this month.
Rodgers scored Villa’s third goal in an emphatic 3-0 win over Freiburg, ensuring the club’s return to the Champions League next season. The midfielder is one of the Premier League’s most coveted talents and Mirror Sport understands Arsenal have their sights firmly set on the playmaker.
Arteta is a big fan of the former Manchester City youngster and praises his ability to play on the left or in the center of midfield.
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Arsenal have made an offer of £80m for Rodgers and are hoping to secure a number of high-profile signings this summer, but they are well aware that such ambitions will require funding from player sales.
From his loan spell at League One side Lincoln City to his move to Championship side Middlesbrough and finally to Villa Park, Rodgers’ rise through the ranks has been nothing short of astonishing.
The Gunners boss was no doubt delighted to hear that, with the midfielder citing the Arsenal match as the moment when he truly felt he was part of English football’s elite and hinted that he was amazed by Arteta’s side.
Morgan Rodgers could move to north London this summer (Image: Juanma – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“Probably the big game for me was against Arsenal at the beginning of last season,” Rodgers told The Athletic ahead of Villa’s Europa League win over Freiburg.
“I was playing with the best players in the world and Arsenal were competing for the title.
“These are players I watched on TV when I was in the Championship and League One. Being able to go toe-to-toe with them physically, with and without the ball, made me think, ‘Yeah, I can do it.’
“I’ve been at Villa for six months and I did well when I first joined the team, but you need that moment, that feeling on the pitch when you know you can compete at that level.
“Stepping up is actually a big jump and sometimes it takes time. But that game was the one where I felt I deserved to be here.”
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Signing Rodgers would send a strong message from the Gunners as they look to strengthen their attack following their long-awaited Premier League title win after a 20-year drought.
Arsenal are preparing for this weekend’s Champions League final against PSG and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Aston Villa and lift their own European trophy.
