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Morgan Rogers is being strongly linked with a potential £80 million ($107m) move to one of the Premier League’s elite clubs in the near future. Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore has shared with GOAL his thoughts on why the England international could be on the verge of a major transfer and which teams are expected to be leading the race for his signature.

Rising star: The journey of Morgan Rogers

Rogers’ rise has been nothing short of remarkable since joining Manchester City in 2019. The forward spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Lincoln City in League One and made his senior debut for England in November 2024. He is now aiming to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

The 23-year-old has shown immense potential and is competing with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham for the attacking midfield role in England’s setup. His career has continued to flourish at club level following a £15m ($20m) move from Middlesbrough to Aston Villa in February 2024.

Since joining Villa, Rogers has impressed in both the Premier League and Champions League, sparking inevitable rumours of a high-profile exit. Although he is under contract with Villa until 2031, the long-term deal primarily serves to secure the club’s bargaining position and maintain his high valuation.

Why Aston Villa might consider selling Rogers

Collymore admits that a big-money sale could be on the horizon. Speaking to GOAL via BetWright, the former Villa striker said when asked if Rogers might move to Real Madrid, Chelsea, or Manchester City: “As a Villa fan, I worry that when the opportunity arises for him to go, he’ll take it. He’s already experienced a few loan spells while at Manchester City and later chose to play in the Championship instead of waiting for a Premier League bench role. Many players now prefer to stay around, hoping to break into the first team eventually. But he didn’t – he took charge of his career, joined the Championship, and carved his own path. Villa brought him in, and he’s been absolutely sensational.”

He continued, “In terms of the World Cup squad, I still don’t think he’ll start ahead of Jude Bellingham, but he’ll definitely be in contention. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays a key role in games, and I also wouldn’t be shocked if Villa receive offers around £70m-£80m, possibly including player exchanges and add-ons. Villa need reinforcements due to PSR compliance, so he could easily become one of the top summer transfer targets.”

“It’s pretty straightforward. Villa need midfielders right now. They had agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid for Conor Gallagher, but Tottenham swooped in late, offering a longer contract and more money. That’s where the PSR challenges come into play.”

Potential destinations: Who might sign Rogers?

Collymore further discussed possible destinations for Rogers: “Morgan Rogers will evaluate things at the end of the season. I saw an interview where he was asked whether he’d prefer a top-four finish or an FA Cup victory. He said, ‘FA Cup, because I want to win a trophy—I haven’t won one yet.’ That shows he’s an old-school player who values silverware and will go wherever he has the best chance to win.”

“If PSR rules are relaxed this summer and Villa continue progressing, especially if they secure Champions League qualification—which looks fairly likely, though they could still be overtaken by Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, or Spurs—and win the FA Cup, he might stay. That would make him a trophy winner at an ambitious club, with a manager who trusts him. Maybe he could even be handed the captain’s armband.”

“However, if Villa finish in the top four but fail to win the FA Cup, I think several major clubs will come calling. They wouldn’t hesitate to offer £75m-£80m plus player exchanges involving the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester United surplus players.”

“Villa have a proven record of improving such players—you’ve seen what they did with Victor Lindelof. Clubs would be happy to offload high earners, and such deals could help navigate PSR restrictions.”

“I think Rogers is ambitious enough to consider moves to Manchester City, Chelsea, or Manchester United. Those three clubs make the most sense. I don’t see Liverpool needing that type of reinforcement right now. A move back to Manchester City, where he began, or to a big-spending Manchester United or Arsenal, could be appealing. Imagine him lining up alongside Declan Rice at Arsenal—that would be formidable. Chelsea, too, always seem ready to invest heavily. So yes, I can see it happening.”

“As for the World Cup, just like Morgan Gibbs-White, if he makes the squad, I expect Jude Bellingham to remain the first choice. It would take two or three poor performances from England for someone else to start alongside Declan Rice.”

Rogers’ record: Stats with Aston Villa and England

Rogers has made 99 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 25 goals. On the international stage, he has earned 12 caps for England, netting his first goal against Wales. His performances have already caught the attention of major clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea, sparking further transfer speculation.