Manchester City are in talks with Bournemouth over sending Morgan Rogers on loan with an obligation to buy, after offering the winger to Aston Villa, according to the Daily Mail.
Bournemouth moved to open negotiations with the Premier League title-holders over signing Morgan as they neared selling Arnaut Danjuma. The Dutch forward finalised a £21.3m move to Spain on Thursday morning, joining Villarreal on a five-year contract.
Scott Parker’s Cherries could now reinvest some of their funds in signing Rogers on loan from Manchester City. The Citizens will also insist on including a £9m obligation to buy in any deal, along with a sell-on clause.
Manchester City signed Rogers from West Brom in 2019 in a deal worth up to £8m, with £4m paid upfront. The Baggies would be owed a percentage of any fee Bournemouth now pay for the sought-after 19-year-old.
Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest both made enquiries into Rogers’ availability after an impressive spell with Lincoln City last season. But the teen is ready to reject the Eagles and staying in the Premier League, believing Bournemouth offer the best path to the first-team.
Manchester City had offered Rogers to Aston Villa before holding any negotiations with Bournemouth. That’s according to ESPN, who note the Citizens suggested the England U19 international as a possible £10m makeweight in their £100m deal for Jack Grealish.
Rogers was open to joining Aston Villa from Manchester City, too, but Dean Smith’s side preferred a straight cash transfer. The Citizens eventually paying the full £100m to sign Grealish earlier this month, while Rogers could now join Bournemouth instead.
Will Aston Villa regret Rogers call as Bournemouth eye Manchester City gem?
Losing a talent like Danjuma will frustrate Bournemouth, but Parker will be pleased enough to replace him with Manchester City’s Rogers after Aston Villa passed on the teenage gem.
Danjuma helped the Cherries contend for an immediate top-flight return last term with 17 goals and seven assists. Rogers, meanwhile, caught Bournemouth’s eye while offering six goals and four assists in League One with Lincoln. Where manager Michael Appleton called him ‘outstanding’, via Lincolnshire Live after scoring a sublime goal against Ipswich Town.
Rogers’ performances helped the Imps reach the play-off final, before losing to Blackpool at Wembley, too. He also started 26 of his 28 appearances, giving Aston Villa plenty of tape to assess when Manchester City suggested Rogers during talks to sign Grealish this summer.
Aston Villa could regret passing on Rogers, who was open to joining, if the Manchester City gem thrives at Bournemouth. Knowing his services were on the table, but they said no.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
