Arsenal ready to step up interest in Rogers - with Rice leading charm offensive

Arsenal are planning to step up their interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and are using their England contingent to help convince him of the move.

Villa need to sell this summer to stay within financial guidelines but have been insisting that Rogers is one player who must stay and are in a strong negotiating position owing to his contract.

Arsenal and Chelsea sources believe Villa may be willing to talk at around £85million, but Unai Emery’s club are well aware of the escalating prices for midfielders in the current market.

Middlesbrough also hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause, which has to be factored into any bidding.

While Villa have qualified for the Champions League, Rogers is understood to be open to listening to what Premier League champions Arsenal have to offer.

The Gunners’ midfielder Declan Rice has been working away on Rogers, hoping to help influence his decision, with team-mates Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze also in the camp. Rogers is seen as an upgrade by manager Mikel Arteta, who likes the fact he would bring further versatility to their frontline.

Arsenal are looking to add around four or five quality signings this summer.

Rogers is viewed as a priority, but they also want a striker, with Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez admired.

They have been offered the chance to sign Christos Tzolis from Bruges but have spoken to other wingers too. They also admire Alex Scott at Bournemouth and want another defender.

Scott is valued at £80million, though Bournemouth are trying to convince him to sign a new deal, with the prospect of a release clause being inserted into that contract.

Arsenal could sell £20million-rated Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, who has interest from Bournemouth, and Gabriel Martinelli. There is also interest in Ethan Nwaneri, Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie as Arteta ponders how best to improve his squad.