Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are considering a summer move for Aston Villa forward Morgan Rodgers.
Despite signing a new long-term contract until 2031 last year, Villa are expected to face interest in Rodgers, who continues to develop under the guidance of manager Unai Emery.
However, Villa are in a strong position and the 23-year-old has five years left on his contract, meaning he will be one of the most valuable players this summer.
Villa are also on track to qualify for the Champions League in fourth place, five points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, and are also in the running for a place in the Europa League semi-finals after defeating Bologna 3-1 on Thursday.
Rodgers has scored 27 goals and provided 21 assists in 115 appearances for Villa since joining from Middlesbrough in 2024 in a deal worth up to £16 million.
The England international has attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs during that time, particularly last summer.
Rodgers celebrates after scoring Aston Villa’s goal at Bournemouth
At the time, Sky Sports News reported that the former Manchester City youth player was being considered by both Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as Tottenham, before brushing off the idea of rejoining Villa in 2025.
Arsenal are looking to sign a new left-winger this summer, with Rodgers on the list alongside Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon and PSG’s Kviča Kvaratschelia.
United are also eyeing the left-wing position, with Sky Sports News already reporting their admiration for RB Leipzig star Yann Diomande and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye, who also like Rodgers.
Chelsea’s plans this summer could include signing another forward, while PSG are always looking to strengthen with their best players, and Rodgers could become attractive to more clubs by making a positive impact for England at June’s World Cup.
Will this move derail Rodgers’ rise?
Patrick Lowe of Sky Sports:
Morgan Rodgers has made the leap from promising young player to full-fledged England international on his way to Premier League superstar status.
But it was the freedom given to him at Aston Villa that made this possible. Teams looking for a traditional winger who can attack the touchline and provide width should look elsewhere.
Rodgers’ best moments in a Villa shirt came with his fluid role as a striker. The 23-year-old moves freely between Unai Emery’s fluid front four and thrives in the spaces created up front.
When you are given the luxury of choosing the path you want to pursue in a game, the result is a maverick moment of brilliance.
Aston Villa’s Rodgers’ zonal events in this season’s Premier League
Rodgers has a unique blend of pace, power, technical ability and accuracy. These are traits that attract the attention of Europe’s elites, but there is one thing about which he is not a cog in the system.
Villa have gone down this path before when they sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100m. Another unique talent that ignited Villa Park.
Their latest star is likely to achieve similar numbers and a similar trophy collection to Grealish will no doubt follow.
But Rodgers’ return to the England squad (one goal in 13 appearances) is an insight into what happens when he is locked into a more rigid system, tasked with playing primarily on the right flank while working alongside Thomas Tuchel.
It’s clear that Rodgers would be rewarded if given space and freedom. Restricting that risks suffocating one of the best up-and-coming talents in world football.
