Arsenal in direct talks to land £100m star

“It’s not done yet”. Those were the famous words from a certain Arsenal midfielder by the name of Declan Rice after they had suffered defeat to Manchester City.

It looked like it was. Pep Guardiola’s men had totally blown the door open and the Gunners looked like they were fading away.

Well, always believe Rice. Lo and behold, it was not done. It is now. But it’s Arsenal who came out on top.

The mentality spoke volumes. He calmed the situation, played it down and Mikel Arteta’s men eventually romped home, winning the title by seven points once all was said and done. Not bad, eh?

Yet, what’s next? Andrea Berta and Co need to find a way to strengthen the squad in their pursuit of more honours.

Arsenal targeting big-money addition to their attack

When Arsenal played PSG last Saturday in the Champions League, the game may well have been decided by a penalty shootout but the difference between the two teams, particularly at the top end of the pitch was staggering.

While Luis Enrique’s men boast the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Khivcha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, Arsenal have Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli. As far as quality is concerned, Bukayo Saka is streets ahead of those three.

So, the task now is to find their next Saka. Players like Marcus Rashford and Bradley Barcola have been touted with moves, as has RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.

Yet, the most exciting name of all is undoubtedly Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa. Reports a few days ago suggested that the Gunners held ‘genuine’ interest in the England international but they are now ramping up their efforts according to fresh claims.

Speaking on YouTube, Fabrizio Romano stated: “For Aston Villa it will be very difficult to keep Morgan Rogers. They understand there will be plenty of clubs interested. I expect several clubs to be at the table.

“For sure, Arsenal. They are one of the clubs interested and from what I understand, they already had some direct contacts with the agents of Rogers.”

While Romano anticipates it may well be difficult for Villa to hold on to their star man, they will make negotiations challenging with some reports noting that it could take as much as £100m to prise him away from the Midlands.

Why Rogers could be Arsenal’s best signing since Rice

The last time Arsenal decided to spend £100m it was on Rice. “We got him half price” sing the fans on a match day and it’s difficult to argue against that.

Since moving to the Emirates, the midfielder has seen his valuation, stock and acclaim soar. He’s now one of the best in the world, he’s a Premier League champion and a player who is right in the conversation to win a Ballon d’Or. Perhaps a World Cup triumph this summer could tip the scales in his favour?

For Arsenal, however, he has been a game-changing signing, totally transformative. As Josh Kroenke said last week, Rice’s arrival “was a gigantic moment for everyone.”

Kroenke continued: “If you’re going to pay that kind of price tag it can’t just be for a talent on the pitch. You need to be getting a plug and play player and someone with leadership qualities off the pitch.”

After heading from east to north London for £105m, Rice has barely missed a game and he’s come up with some of the most memorable moments in the club’s recent history.

That late goal against Manchester United in his debut season sticks out, as do his two free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Well, in the form of Rogers, they could sign a simillarly transformative player, someone who with Premier League experience is the definition of plug and play as Kroenke refers to.

Like Rice, his fellow England international has excellent availability. The 23-year-old has missed only two league games since the start of 2024/25 and one of those was due to suspension.

Furthermore, his quality is second to very few in the top-flight. As Arsenal’s record signing was before he moved, Rogers has been dazzling for one of the clubs outside of the classic ‘big six’ teams.

The attacking midfielder won the PFA Young Player of the Year award last season, an award previously won by Bukayo Saka and he’s built nicely on that campaign.

Now a Europa League winner, Rogers has scored 14 goals in consecutive seasons and he’s also assisting goals on a regular basis. He picked up 16 in 2024/25 and another 12 in 2025/26.

This signing would be important for several reasons. Not only would it raise the ceiling of the champions but he’d become a key player in two positions.

The Villa star’s favoured role is in the middle behind the striker, but he can also play out on the left where Arsenal desperately need new additions.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli scored only seven league goals between them this season. On that evidence, it’s remarkable Arteta’s men were the best team in the league when they lacked so much quality on one flank.

As consequence, like when Rice moved from West Ham, Rogers could be the transformative addition to their attack that takes Arsenal to the next level.