Arsenal should opt to pursue a deal for Morgan Rogers over Rodrygo in this summer’s transfer window.
That’s the verdict of Gunners’ legend Ray Parlour who has cast an expert eye over this former club’s transfer needs.
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Boss Mikel Arteta is expected to bolster his attacking options in the summer transfer window following a frustrating season which saw the Gunners’ big hitters all sidelined through injury.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz all endured lengthy spells in the treatment room, leaving Arteta without his most potent goal threats.
The Spaniard is likely to spend heavily on the addition of a No.9 with Sporting Lisbon hot-shot Viktor Gyokeres high on the club’s shortlist.
Another name linked with the north London club is Real Madrid’s wantaway forward Rodrygo.
The Brazilian is reportedly unhappy with his status at the Bernabeu following the arrival of Kylian Mbappe last season.
The 24-year-old played a key role in Madrid’s Champions League successes of 2022 and 2024 but a revamped forward line has seen his influence suppressed this season.
Arsenal have been credited with an interest in the wide man who can play on either flank, but Parlour is not convinced that his former side should splash the £84million needed to meet Real Madrid’s valuation.
“The problem is that you’ve got to buy a striker with that money,” Parlour said. “I’d rather keep Martinelli.”
However, Rogers’ name was brought to Parlour’s attention and the former Arsenal star was immediately sold on the idea.
The Aston Villa star enjoyed a stunning breakout season in the Premier League whilst netting 14 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions.
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Rogers, whose contract runs until 2030, has become a permanent fixture in Unai Emery’s starting XI and it has been mooted that suitors would have to part with around £85m to hold any chance of signing him.
“I think he’s got so much potential,” Parlour said. “I’d pay the money to get him because he’s 22-years-old, he’s got everything going for him and he’s in the England squad now. He’s going to get better
“Mikel can teach him. He can play No.10, he can play wide, he can play everywhere can’t he?
“He can score you some goals as well. I’d buy him. For £85m, I’d rather have him than Rodrygo.”
Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko, who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, was forced to withdraw from Slovenia’s squad to face Luxembourg but remains in contention for next weeks’ clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sesko, who plays his football for RB Leipzig in Germany, picked up an injury towards the end of the Bundesliga season.
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The injury is not expected to affect a potential transfer away from Leipzig with the Gunners considering whether to meet the striker’s £67.5m release clause in his contract.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have left the door open for midfielder Thomas Partey to continue his stay at the club.
The Ghanaian, who joined the club in 2020, is out of contract later this month but, as of yet, no agreement has been found for an extension.
Arteta is keen to keep hold of the 31-year-old who was a key player during the run to the Champions League semi-finals.
The Arsenal boss, however, will not stand in the way of Kieran Tierney and Jorginho’s departures with both players leaving at the end of their current deals.
Tierney will return to former club Celtic while Jorginho is expected to sign for Brazilian club Flamengo.
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Arsenal are continuing to work on luring Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners appeared close to tying up a deal for the Spaniard but interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid has put the breaks on a move.
“Of course there are options,” Zubimendi told Radio Nacional from the Spain camp ahead of Sunday’s Nations League final against Portugal.
“But it’s true that it looks like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it’s going to end.
“Right now, thinking about it isn’t my priority. I’m here with the national team, which is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”
