Aston Villa transfer news as Unai Emery to go back in for ‘unique’ Morgan Rogers amid Middlesbrough development

Despite not being able to complete a move for the Middlesbrough star during the January transfer window, Dan Bardell doesn’t think Aston Villa has given up on Morgan Rogers.

The 21-year-old, who signed with Boro for just over £1 million in the summer, has already had two bids rejected by Villa; however, a third bid is reportedly in the works to try to get him to Villa Park [Mail on Sunday, January 21].

According to reports, Michael Carrick is keen to keep the English attacker at the Riverside for the duration of the campaign, thus the Villans will need to up their bid to £10 million this month in order to get his services [Daily Mirror, 23 January].

Bardell thinks Rogers is undoubtedly a player Unai Emery and Monchi see as having the potential to contribute to the team as a substitute as the team looks to qualify for the Champions League this year.

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.”

Read more news.https://sportupdates.co.uk/