Arsenal Transfer News Today: Morgan Rogers offer as official statement issued

Updated: 17 Jul 2026 16:48 BST | 6 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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FootballTransfers runs through the latest Arsenal transfer news, rumours and gossip, including updates on Morgan Rogers and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

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Morgan Rogers latest

Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of Aston Villa and England’s Morgan Rogers and are ready to make a first bid for the midfield star, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal.

FootballTransfers previously revealed that Rogers was ‘very, very close’ to agreeing terms with the Gunners. These have since been finalised, and now Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to take their interest to Aston Villa.

A first bid is expected imminently, with sources close to the deal explaining that an offer of around £105 million (€123m) will be made by Arsenal. This is a figure that eclipses the Gunners' record transfer fee of £100m (€116m), which saw Declan Rice sign from West Ham in 2023.

Aston Villa are expected to knock this bid back. Instead, Unai Emery’s men have set their asking price at a figure in the region of £130m (€150m).

Current ETV

Morgan Rogers

AM (C), M (CL)

A. Villa

Morgan Rogers

AM (C), M (CL)

A. Villa

ETV Range

€58.6M - €71.7M

Ayyoub Bouaddi statement

Lille have sent Arsenal a strong message over the future of midfield sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has been heavily linked with a potential summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

“I never discussed figures, but very few clubs today can afford a player of Ayyoub’s quality, who is only 18,” Lille president Olivier Letang told L’Equipe.

“What environment would be best for him to continue developing? We’ve seen each other since he returned from the World Cup. I can’t say what we discussed. Anything is still possible, but in my opinion, he should stay with us for another season. I’m convinced there’s a strong chance he’ll stay with us. And he would be very happy to do so.

“Today, I haven't had any discussions because I refused any talks with clubs that are able to pay the transfer fee during the World Cup. What I'm telling everyone is that there's no rush. We're very calm, like Ayyoub. We'll reassess based on what happens in the coming weeks. And you're right, we have to be prepared for all eventualities. If he were to leave, we have to be ready.”

Ezri Konsa bid prepared

Arsenal are preparing an opening bid for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa amid fears that William Saliba is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a back injury at the World Cup.

That is according to The Daily Mail, who report that despite Arsenal’s interest in the 28-year-old, there is a major gap between their valuation of Konsa and Villa’s, meaning a deal is far from advanced at this stage.

The England international has two years remaining on his current contract and he could opt to sign an extension at Villa Park if the conditions are correct.

© IMAGO - Ezri Konsa is wanted by Arsenal

Bradley Barcola truth

Arsenal have been tipped to pursue a deal for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola before the end of the summer window, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that negotiations over a deal aren’t underway.

“I know there have been many reports linking Arsenal with Bradley Barcola,” he said. “It is a strange situation because, for several weeks, the reports suggested Barcola was not available. Then suddenly the reports switched to Barcola and Arsenal, while nobody was mentioning Barcola and Liverpool. Liverpool remain very interested in Bradley Barcola.

“At the moment, Arsenal are not negotiating for Bradley Barcola. There are no active talks. From my information, the player Arsenal still want to add as their new winger is Morgan Rogers.”

Arsenal make academy moves

Arsenal are showing “strong interest” in Cardiff City midfielder Axel Donczew, as per a report from The Telegraph.

The 16-year-old became Cardiff’s youngest player of all time last season and it’s understood that he would initially join Arsenal’s academy set-up if the Gunners are successful in their bid to sign him this summer.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports reports that the Premier League champions have wrapped up a deal for Elijah Upson, the son of former Arsenal defender Matthew Upson, after his departure from Tottenham.

Additionally, Emerson Nwaneri, the 15-year-old brother of Ethan, has agreed terms on a scholarship contract and committed to a professional deal for August 2027 when he turns 17.

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