Arsenal star’s Instagram activity noticed as Mikel Arteta goes after £100m transfer target
Arsenal fans are feeling pretty sure their first summer signing is done after spotting something one of their players shared on Instagram. The Gunners will kick off next season as Premier League champions, having won the title on Sunday for the first time since 2004. They also have a shot at the Champions League trophy, as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the final this Saturday in Budapest.
Most of Arsenal’s first-team players will then go on to play internationally ahead of the World Cup, with four Gunners stars selected by England’s coach Thomas Tuchel. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice were guaranteed picks, while Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke earned their spots after great seasons. Madueke even scored Arsenal’s second goal in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the last day of the season.
Fans noticed something interesting on Instagram: Madueke liked a post from the popular account Rising Ballers about Arsenal’s interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The post shared a tweet saying, “Arsenal really are building a super team…” While a like might seem small, it’s worth noting Madueke and Rogers are close in age and grew up playing in England’s youth teams together. Both will represent England at the World Cup, with Rogers beating out Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White for a spot. They also often interact with each other’s Instagram posts.
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is “leading” an effort to sign Rogers as the Gunners look to defend their Premier League title. Rogers scored 10 goals and assisted 7 times this season and helped Villa win the Europa League—their first big trophy in 30 years.
Villa’s biggest sale was £100 million for Jack Grealish in 2021. With the transfer market the way it is, and Villa playing in the Champions League next season, they might ask for even more to sell Rogers. Whether Arsenal will pay that price remains to be seen.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein says Arsenal are also focusing on letting some players go this summer, including a possible homegrown player sale, which might affect their pursuit of Rogers.