Unai Emery has revealed that their signing of Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough will be completed today.
It’s the target that Aston Villa have persistently chased throughout this window and although it took a while to agree on a deal, it appears they’ve finally got their man after seeing their first three bids get rejected.
The Premier League side will pay an initial £8 million plus a further £8 million in possible add-ons for the 21-year-old, who is set to undergo his medical ahead of signing a five-and-a-half-year deal until 2029.
Rogers only left Manchester City for £1 million in the summer while his performances in the Championship have since seen his value skyrocket.
With seven goals and nine assists in all competitions this term, Unai Emery is salivating over the prospect of working with the Englishman and the Spaniard is delighted to have finally landed his number one target.
Following Aston Villa’s dismal 3-1 defeat against Newcastle United last night, the performance drew plenty of negatives from the manager, but he did have some positive news to give supporters when discussing Rogers.
Unai Emery says Morgan Rogers could sign for Aston Villa today
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, via BBC Sport, Emery was excited to announce that the deal for Rogers could be completed today.
He said: “We analyse him and we follow him with a scout. “I think he is a potential young player and hopefully tomorrow we can sign him and he can start his new chapter here.”
The excitement to sign the Boro man could stem from the fact that Villa have gleaned success from shopping in the Championship previously.
After all, they did acquire the likes of Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Buendia when they were plying their trade in the second tier.
Rogers has a lot to live up to if he’s going to make a similar impact to the above trio, but given how delighted Emery is to work with him, he could be the next talent to become a star at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers will provide an attacking impetus
Villa have only scored twice in their last four matches and aside from Leon Bailey producing magic from the bench, they rarely looked dangerous against Newcastle.
During a time when the goals and positivity have somewhat dried up, Rogers could provide a fresh attacking impetus and new excitement.
He’s a player who likes to get bums off seats with his electric pace and incisive attacking play while Michael Carrick lauded him as a ‘huge talent’.
Although the goal contributions in the Championship don’t necessarily match the price tag, Emery sees the talented superstar that Rogers could become.
It may take a while for him to be introduced regularly from the off, especially if Bailey continues to perform like he did last night, but there is certainly a spot down the left flank that he can make his own.
