Who is Morgan Rogers and why Aston Villa are so intent on signing him? 

Aston Villa have submitted an improved bid to sign Middlesbrough’s Morgan Rogers after their first two offers were turned down by the Championship outfit, per the Daily Mail.  

Manager Unai Emery is said to be a huge admirer of the 21-year-old and is intent on bringing him to the Midlands before the end of the January transfer window. 

The youngster recently played against the Lions in the FA Cup and impressed with his performance. 

Middlesbrough are very reluctant to lose their player in the middle of the season but Villa’s third bid could change their mind. 

Who is Morgan Rogers? 

The talented forward started his football career at West Bromwich Albion but was snapped up by Manchester City in 2019. 

He failed to make his first-team debut at City, and remained on loan spells to Lincoln City, Bournemouth and Blackpool. 

The youngster eventually joined Middlesbrough last summer, and that move has proved to be a roaring success so far. 

He has hit the ground running at the Yorkshire outfit, scoring six  goals and creating nine assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. 

The 21-year-old has averaged 3.83 expected goals, 1.4 key passes, and 1.2 shots per game in the Championship. 

He also contributes defensively for the team, registering 1.1 tackles and 1.6 ball recoveries on average.  

His versatility is another outstanding attribute, as he is capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, left winger, centre-forward as well as a second-striker. 

The youngster can carry the ball forward and fend off defenders with his strength. He is also very creative and has got a good eye for a pass. 

Why Aston Villa are so intent on signing Rogers? 

Unai Emery’s side have enjoyed an excellent 2023-24 campaign, having picked up 43 points from 21 games. 

They are currently level on points with Manchester City and Arsenal, and are being regarded as genuine contenders for a top-four finish if not the league crown. 

Villa want to bolster their squad to continue their impressive form during the second-half of the campaign. 

A winger is said to be one of their top priorities but they are also wary of falling foul of financial fair play regulations. 

Rogers, who is valued at almost €4 million by Transfermarkt, would represent a smart acquisition. 

Middlesbrough are said to be demanding €10m but they may ultimately settle for a fee lower than that. 

Rogers is certainly not the finished product and there is a lot of space for improvement in his game. 

But Emery is a huge admirer of the forward and believes that he can unlock the player’s potential through good coaching. 

Stats from Sofascore