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Analysis
- 2 hours ago
Ornstein drops Rogers bomb: Chelsea and Liverpool told he's 'one to watch'
Tom Weber
- Updated: 4 Feb 2026 15:09 GMT
- 4 min read
News
According to David Ornstein, Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers will be one of the protagonists of the upcoming summer window amid links with Chelsea and Liverpool.
The 24-year-old emerged as one of the Premier League's standout talents over the past 18 months. Last season's PFA Young Player of the Year, Rogers has been one of the best signings in recent Aston Villa history, costing just €9.4 million when he joined from Middlesbrough in January 2024.
Naturally, his exploits have attracted the attention of suitors. Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for him last summer, but Villa made it emphatically clear that he was not for sale. The Birmingham club then handed him a bumper new deal late last year.
Current ETV
Morgan Rogers
AM (C), M (CR)
A. Villa
Morgan Rogers
AM (C), M (CR)
A. Villa
ETV Range
€53.6M - €65.5M
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic believes that this new contract will do little to discourage his admirers from making summer approaches for him in the next window. Rogers, he says, will be "one to watch."
Whether or not Villa could be tempted into a damaging but lucrative sale will hinge on qualification for the Champions League and what their finances look like come the summer. Villa are currently third, five points ahead of Man Utd and six ahead of Chelsea in fifth.
Liverpool target Rogers move
It was recently revealed that Liverpool are also huge admirers of Rogers. Links with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton were dismissed because the Reds are expected to target a more attack-minded midfielder.
The Villa playmaker features high on the shortlist of Arne Slot and Richard Hughes, but signing him would require yet more eye-watering spending from the Anfield brass after last summer's record-breaking spree.
Rogers is unlikely to be available for less than €100m, and should Villa indeed qualify for the Champions League, signing him could prove virtually impossible unless he agitates for a move.
However, Ornstein's comments should encourage his suitors. The reliable transfer insider rarely makes uninformed guesses and clearly thinks that there is a deal to be done if the right pieces fall into place.
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