Arsenal are in an excellent position heading into the summer transfer window as they head to Budapest for the Champions League final just days after winning the Premier League.
Have the Gunners ever been in a better situation? It would be risky to turn down a move to the north Londoner over the next few months. Few would be willing to turn down a move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
This would certainly put them in a great position to sign Morgan Rodgers from Aston Villa. Despite winning his own trophy in the Europa League under Unai Emery, he would no doubt be intrigued by a potential move if Arsenal came calling.
Reports this week outline that Rodgers is one of the club’s main targets in the market, despite costing him an arm and a leg.
Arsenal considering signing talent like Morgan Rodgers
If Andrea Berta and others are able to sign a contract with Rodgers, it would be a significant statement of intent in strengthening the team towards back-to-back Premier League titles.
Reports this week suggest that Arsenal are already in talks with the attacker’s team to finalize the terms of his future contract. Further claims suggest Berta has actually made it his “personal mission” to bring England internationals to the capital this summer.
However, it will not be easy to complete the deal, given that Villa are talking about a £100m price tag.
Rogers – Career by season | ||
|---|---|---|
season | the goal | assist |
2022/23 | 1 | 1 |
2023/24 | 10 | 9 |
2024/25 | 14 | 16 |
2025/26 | 14 | 12 |
That’s why other cheaper and less popular options are being targeted, such as Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Rodgers and Rashford will be an immediate force, but Arsenal are also looking to strengthen their squad in the future, and they have done so by signing Leicester City prodigy Jeremy Monga.
A few weeks ago, one of Arsenal’s leading sources revealed that they were in talks to take the player away from the City Ground following relegation to League One.
Now they appear to be closing in on signing him. According to TEAMtalk, the Londoner is now said to be “increasingly confident” in signing the player.
Despite competition from Manchester United and Manchester City, Arsenal are currently in a “very strong” position to sign the 16-year-old and are actively working behind the scenes to seal a deal as soon as possible.
Monga is yet to sign a professional contract with Leicester due to his age, so Arsenal could sign him for a compensation fee that is unlikely to be big-money.
Why Monga could be Arsenal’s answer to Morgan Rogers
There’s a reason Rodgers is at the top of Arsenal’s shopping list for the upcoming transfer window.
The former PFA Young Player of the Year, who has the potential to start for England at the World Cup ahead of Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, has shone in the Premier League for two-and-a-half years.
Since being released by Manchester City, he has appeared in the Championship under Unai Emery via Middlesbrough. He is without a doubt one of the best talents to play for a club outside of the classic big six clubs.
In consecutive seasons, Rodgers scored 14 goals in all competitions. He provided 16 assists in the 2024/25 season and has added another 12 this season.
He has a great skill set and can play in the center or on the wing. Monga is more of a wide player, but he certainly has some similar traits and characteristics.
Described by Como scout Ben Mattinson as “England’s Ousmane Dembele”, the renowned analyst describes the Leicester City sensation as “pacy and a good dribbler”. Mattinson further outlined that Monga is a “deadly finisher and a two-footed ball striker”.
It’s clear where the Rodgers comparison came from. The Villa sensation, like Monga, has incredible acceleration to move away from his marker, while being talented in tight spaces and effortlessly evading challenges. It must be remembered that he is a deadly player when approaching the penalty area.
It’s hard not to be excited for the Foxes’ young winger considering what he has already achieved in his senior games. Only two players have made their Premier League debut at a younger age. Max Dauman and Ethan Nwaneri. Monga is now at just such a company.
Youngest player in Premier League history | |
|---|---|
player | Debut age |
1) Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) | 15 years 5 months |
2) Max Doman (Arsenal) | 15 years 7 months |
3) Jeremy Monga (Leicester) | 15 years 8 months |
4) Harvey Elliott (Fulham) | 16 years 1 month |
5) Matt Briggs (Fulham) | 16 years 2 months |
6) Izzy Brown (West Brom) | 16 years 3 months |
7) Aaron Lennon (Leeds) | 16 years 4 months |
8) Jose Baxter (Everton) | 16 years 6 months |
9) Joel Drakes-Thomas (Palace) | 16 years 6 months |
10) Gary McSheffrey (Coventry) | 16 years 6 months |
Dauman and Nwaneri remain stars at the highest level, but for Leicester’s prodigy, he has become a victim of a downturn in recent years.
He has scored just one goal and provided two assists in the Championship this season, but we shouldn’t laugh at that. Don’t forget his age. The fact that he is also playing senior football is incredible.
Arsenal supporters will be hoping and praying that they can get a deal across the line for Rodgers this summer, but even if they don’t, Monga would be a fantastic catcher and someone who could eventually become Aston Villa’s answer to the man.
He is not yet ready to start a game for the Gunners, but his potential is immense.
Rice repeats: Berta has made it his mission to sign £100m star player for Arsenal
Andrea Berta is poised to make a big move to Arsenal this summer.
