Aston Villa are currently eyeing a key figure from a Premier League rival as Morgan Rogers’ replacement should he leave this summer.
Aston Villa’s transfer business might involve players with high transfer fees if Morgan Rogers does leave. The latest update suggests that Premier League winners Arsenal are ready to test the waters with offers for both him and Villa.
Rogers’ move might depend on The Gunners’ approach. The Lions are reportedly ready to keep hold of him unless an offer exceeds £100 million. According to a report in Birmingham Mail, Villa have identified several names as potential replacements. One of them is a key player from their rival.
“Aston Villa were linked with (Morgan) Gibbs-White earlier this year and it seems they remain keen amid speculation about Morgan Rogers’ future.”
Should Rogers switch sides, Gibbs-White seems to be an ideal replacement for the former Middlesbrough man. He would be a perfect choice, especially if Villa’s other target, Jarrod Bowen, opts to stay with The Hammers.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder has been the star at the City Ground since joining The Tricky Trees. He is currently tied to a contract that runs until 2028. His price tag is estimated to be around £70 million.
Last summer, he was Tottenham’s target. Chelsea and Manchester United also came close to signing him before he eventually stayed. This summer, Gibbs-White could be tempted to move to Villa Park as Nottingham Forest only finished in the bottom half of the table. On the other hand, the Clarets and Blue are competing in the Champions League. He would also be playing regularly should Rogers no longer be part of the squad.
However, nothing will be decided until the World Cup finishes, as Villa’s key man remains fully focused on England’s World Cup campaign. It will be interesting to see how things develop, especially as Rogers himself once said that all rumours surrounding his future are simply distractions.
The Stafford-born midfielder is a golden asset whom Forest would certainly not let go easily. His form with The Tricky Trees has improved since he moved there from Wolverhampton in the 2022/23 season.
Last campaign was his best season so far, with 18 goals and seven assists in all competitions. He helped Forest reach the Europa League semi-finals before they lost heavily to Unai Emery’s men in the second leg. Overall, Gibbs-White has scored 36 goals and provided 35 assists in 171 appearances for Forest.
The former Sheffield United man is a versatile player. He can operate on both wings, play as a striker, or as a central midfielder, besides his preferred role as a number 10.
Based on data from FotMob, his xG stands at 10.84, while his successful pass rate reaches 81.1% and his successful dribble rate is up to 47.6%. His duel-winning rate is only 40.4%, but Gibbs-White excels in defensive contribution, recording 178 defensive actions. This includes 20 tackles, 13 interceptions and 32 clearances.
Unfortunately, unlike Rogers, he did not make the cut for England’s World Cup squad. He has only been capped six times so far. His teammate, Elliot Anderson, has been more fortunate as he was named in the squad and has already featured in both of England’s matches in the USA.
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