Morgan Rogers sends Arsenal message as Mikel Arteta hatches transfer plan

Arsenal are said to be exploring a blockbuster deal to sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers this summer, with Mikel Arteta a big admirer.

Morgan Rogers has already hinted at his admiration for Arsenal and made it clear he thinks an elite player amid interest from Mikel Arteta. The Premier League winners are planning to invest in their squad again in the summer and are eyeing up a blockbuster move for the England international.

The 23-year-old has flourished at Aston Villa since his move from Middlesbrough, establishing himself as a fully-fledged England international and lifting the Europa League trophy earlier this month.

Rogers netted the third goal in Villa's commanding 3-0 victory over Freiburg, sealing the club's return to Champions League football next season. The midfielder is among the most coveted talents in the Premier League, and Mirror Sport understands Arsenal have firmly set their sights on the playmaker.

Arteta is a big admirer of the former Manchester City youngster, valuing his ability to operate off the left-hand side or through the centre of midfield.

Arsenal have been linked with an £80m bid for Rogers and are keen to secure several high-profile signings this summer, though they are well aware that player sales will need to fund any such ambitions.

Rogers' rise through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable — from a loan stint with Lincoln City in League One, to a move to Middlesbrough in the Championship, and ultimately to Villa Park.

The midfielder has pointed to a match against Arsenal as the moment he truly felt he belonged amongst English football's elite and hinted at being wowed by Arteta's squad, which no doubt would've been something the Gunners boss was delighted to hear.

"Probably the Arsenal game at the start of last season was the big one for me," Rogers told The Athletic ahead of Villa's Europa League victory over Freiburg.

"I was playing against some of the best players in the world and Arsenal were competing for the title.

"They were players I watched on television when I was in the Championship or in League One. Being able to match them toe-to-toe, physically, with and without the ball, I just got that feeling: 'Yeah, I can do this'.

"I had been at Villa for six months and I did OK when I first came into the team, but you need that one moment; that one feeling on the pitch of when you know you can compete at that level.

"The step up is actually a big jump, and it can take a while. But that was the game where I felt like I deserved to be here."

Signing Rogers would send a powerful message from the Gunners as they look to strengthen their attack, following their long-awaited Premier League title triumph after a two-decade drought.

Arsenal are gearing up for the Champions League final against PSG this weekend, with hopes of emulating Aston Villa's achievement and lifting a European trophy of their own.