Aston Villa are determined to keep Morgan Rogers this summer, but every player has a price, and their resolve is likely to be tested in the coming weeks. The 23-year-old is the club's prized asset and one of the most valuable players in the Premier League, considering his profile, output, and importance to Unai Emery's squad.
A strong World Cup campaign would only boost his value further. Given that Elliot Anderson is reportedly worth in excess of £120 million, Villa are in a strong negotiating position. With five years remaining on his contract, Villa are under no pressure to sell Rogers. However, this window could provide an opportunity to extract maximum value from the England international.
Middlesbrough, from whom Villa signed him in January 2025 for just £8 million rising to £15 million, also hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause, which would reduce Villa's profit from any potential sale. A key player for Emery and a driving force in the Villa side, it would take a huge offer to change the club's stance on Rogers. However, due to limited flexibility in the transfer market because of Squad Cost Rules (SCR), selling Rogers would allow Villa to strengthen the squad ahead of their second Champions League campaign in three years.
If that option doesn't appeal to Emery and he is determined to keep Rogers, Villa could still generate around £120 million from player sales this summer without significantly weakening the squad. Donyell Malen has already completed a permanent move to AS Roma for £22 million.
Attention has now turned to other potential departures, with Emi Martinez's future once again under the spotlight. The Argentina number one appears open to leaving the club - much as he was 12 months ago - and Juventus are pushing to secure his signature. Reports in Italy claim that the Old Lady already have a broad agreement with Martinez over personal terms, but have yet to reach an agreement with Villa over a transfer fee. As Martinez turns 34 in September and still has three years remaining on his deal, Villa could perhaps demand a minimum of £10 million for his sale, which may exceed what Juventus are willing to pay.
Andres Garcia needs a fresh start after struggling for game time last season. He made just one Premier League start, which came on the final day against Manchester City, and he was taken off at half-time. Signed for approximately £6 million from Levante, Villa will hope to recoup most of that fee if they can offload the Spaniard on a permanent basis.
Another full-back who has failed to establish himself at Villa is Kosta Nedeljkovic. Still only 20 years old, the Serbia international has had two separate loan spells at RB Leipzig. On both occasions, Leipzig have declined to take up their buy options, leaving Nedeljkovic without a permanent solution to his future. Villa's previous asking price of around £10 million will likely need to be reduced, but he could still be an attractive option for clubs if Villa are willing to accept a lower offer.
At left-back, Ian Maatsen has yet to secure a consistent starting role under Emery. Although he showed glimpses of his potential last season, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how he earns the manager's full trust. If an offer in the region of £20–25 million arrives for the left-back, who was signed for £38.5 million two summers ago, Villa would have to consider it.
In the forward areas, Villa will look to offload Leon Bailey in the coming weeks after failing to do so last summer. AS Roma had a £19 million option to sign the winger following his loan move in August, but the deal did not materialise, and he was recalled in January. Villa may only be able to raise around £10 million from a sale, but moving him on could prove difficult given his wages and lack of form over the past two seasons.
Villa will also likely seek a permanent solution for Evann Guessand, who did not secure a move to Crystal Palace after his loan spell at Selhurst Park. The Ivory Coast international made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles last season, scoring two goals. He is now representing his country at this summer's World Cup. Palace would have been obliged to sign Guessand for £28 million if certain conditions had been met, but he will now return to Villa. A bid in the region of £25 million would likely be accepted this window.
Additional funds could be raised through the sales of younger players such as Lewis Dobbin and Louie Barry. Dobbin recorded 19 goal contributions for Championship side Preston North End last season. While Villa would not command large fees for either player individually, combined sales could generate around £10 million. Alongside other academy departures, this would contribute a significant sum.
In total, the potential sales of the players mentioned could bring in approximately £100 million for Villa this summer.
