Aston Villa ace Morgan Rogers has opened up about transfer speculation as Arsenal prepare to make their first signing of the summer
Mikel Arteta’s ambitions to build upon Arsenal’s Premier League triumph are already gathering momentum this summer. That’s despite World Cup 2026 complicating matters by preventing certain players from resolving their club futures.
The Emirates Stadium appears as attractive a destination as it has in recent memory following the Gunners’ recent achievements. However, Arteta faces pressure to deploy funds shrewdly as he looks to build on their Premier League title.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is among the names being touted for a switch to Arsenal despite his ongoing World Cup commitments. football.london breaks down the latest developments from around the Emirates Stadium as the Gunners’ summer overhaul begins.
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Rogers addresses transfer links
One prospective arrival from Villa, England international Rogers, has shed light on what it’s like being associated with the country’s elite. More precisely, the No. 10 has discussed how it can influence his performances.
When questioned whether transfer speculation had ever affected his displays on the pitch, Rogers told The Rest Is Football: “I think the first time it ever happened it was.
“You’re in an uncomfortable spot of not realising that people have so much interest in you, and you’re not quite realising that. But as you get older and gain experience along the way, you know that comes with it, and 95 per cent of it is just noise.
“You hear it, course you do. You can’t help not. You know it’s there but you’ve got to use it in a positive way. You just try and get on with your game and just focus.”
Rogers, 23, is currently Stateside with England as they prepare for their World Cup 2026 campaign. The tournament means any prospective transfer is less likely to materialise until the Three Lions’ involvement in the competition is over.
The former Manchester City starlet won’t come cheap, however, with Rogers tied to Villa until 2031. Consequently, it has been reported the attacker could command a fee in excess of £80million should he depart this summer.
Arteta’s first summer recruit
Arsenal are on the cusp of finalising their first signing of the summer, following reports that Arnaldo Abrantes is set to assume the role of the club’s new head doctor. The former Olympic sprinter is expected to succeed Dr Zafar Iqbal, who departed after two years at the Emirates.
The Athletic reported Abrantes will formally commence his duties at Arsenal in July and will become the third doctor to arrive from Villa in recent months. He previously represented Portugal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he was knocked out in the early rounds.
Abrantes became available following his exit from Aston Villa at the conclusion of this season. The 39-year-old previously served as head of performance at Nottingham Forest for three years before relocating to Birmingham.
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The medical department represents an area where Arsenal will seek to gain crucial advantages following injury problems in previous seasons. Maintaining the strongest possible squad available as frequently as possible is one factor where competing clubs can derive considerable benefit throughout a campaign.
Skipper Martin Odegaard was especially restricted among the squad’s leading figures. The Norwegian was absent for substantial periods and was confined to just 16 league starts, while Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber also endured an unfortunate spell on the treatment table.
