Aston Villa transfer news as Unai Emery to go back in for ‘unique’ Morgan Rogers amid Middlesbrough development
We’re delighted to welcome Sky Sports journalist Dan Bardell as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Dan Bardell doesn’t believe Aston Villa have conceded defeat in their pursuit of Morgan Rogers despite so far failing to land a deal for the Middlesbrough ace in the January transfer window.
Villa have already seen two bids turned down for the 21-year-old, who joined Boro for just over £1million in the summer, but a third bid is understood to have been submitted to attempt to bring him to Villa Park [Mail on Sunday, 21 January].
Reports emerged that the Villans will have to raise their offer to £10million this month if they want to secure the English attacker’s services as Michael Carrick is desperate to keep him at the Riverside for the remainder of the campaign [Daily Mirror, 23 January].
Bardell believes Rogers is clearly a player Unai Emery and Monchi view as someone who could come in and have an impact on the squad from the bench as the club chases a Champions League place this season.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I watched him play against Chelsea and I liked the look of what I saw. I think he’s quite a unique prospect in the fact that he’s a wide player, who can play as a number 10 or all across the forward line.
“He’s 6’4”, you don’t see many 6’4” wide players, he’s got very quick feet, can shift the ball and pop shots off like he did against Chelsea. If you look at the goals he’s scored this season and throughout his career, he’s scored a lot of goals from range.
“He’s quite dynamic and has got pace. He’s been learning his trade at Middlesbrough in the Championship and his development has probably accelerated faster than Middlesbrough would’ve expected.
“He’s obviously a player Monchi and Emery have agreed could come in and maybe not be starting games instantly, but certainly impact the Villa squad from the bench. Villa have had a couple of bids rejected, I don’t think that will be the end of it.
“I think had Middlesbrough got to the Carabao Cup final, it might have been a difficult one to do because he would’ve wanted to play. He’s the top scorer in the Carabao Cup. I heard murmurs that, if we signed him, he would be loaned back.
“I don’t know how true that is, but maybe now they’ve been knocked out, that changes things a little bit. But Villa are going to have to up the offer because Middlesbrough aren’t going to give him away. I think Villa are looking at somewhere between £10million and £15million.
“At a time when they’re quite tight with the profit and sustainability, it’s one that took me by surprise. I think when you factor in that Villa let a homegrown player go for £5million in Philogene, who is probably a similar level as Rogers if not a higher level, it’s quite weird when you look at it like that.
“But Philogene wanted to go, Emery was quite happy for him to stay around and be part of the matchday squad, but he wanted to go somewhere where he’d play every week. If Emery and Monchi want to pursue Rogers, then I trust their judgement.”
In other Aston Villa news, a journalist has reacted as an “unhappy” Villa ace is closing in on a Villa Park loan exit.
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