Aston Villa have reportedly seen a third offer for Morgan Rogers rejected by Middlesbrough as an agreement continues to be elusive this month.
The 21-year-old is making a positive impression this season with seven goals and nine assists in 33 appearances for the Championship outfit, with Villa getting a closer look at him earlier this month in our FA Cup tie.
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Unai Emery and our recruitment team have evidently seen something they like in the talented youngster, thus leading to an ongoing pursuit with three bids being made.
However, according to The Telegraph’s John Percy, a third offer has now been rebuffed by Boro, with Villa said to have submitted a proposal of £7.5m up front with add-ons.
It’s added that Rogers wants to leave and that Emery has indeed prioritised him this month to bolster our attacking options, but with a valuation of £12m, it remains to be seen if the two clubs can reach an agreement in the coming days.
Time will tell if Villa return with an improved fourth bid, while it’s noted that if Rogers were to arrive, it would increase doubts over Jhon Duran’s future at the club, given he would face increased competition and potentially fall down the pecking order.
If it’s a reshuffle that Emery believes would strengthen us and help to make us increasingly competitive at the top level, it’s hoped that the pieces fall into place for that to happen.
That said, the club will no doubt only make an improved bid if they believe it makes sense financially, and so it remains to be seen what the strategy is if we can’t secure a deal for Rogers.
It will be interesting to see if we move on and target an alternative or stick with what we have until the summer, with time now running out to land his signature before the January transfer window deadline this week.
Amid reports of PSR concerns and a question mark being raised over Jacob Ramsey’s future, splashing out on Rogers seems questionable. However, if Emery and the management staff have a strategy and plan in place, we may still see movement before the end of the month.