Arsenal preparing opening bid for Morgan Rogers after Christos Tzolis agreement

Arsenal are set to intensify their pursuit of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers after agreeing a deal to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

Arsenal have already reached an agreement worth around £33.8 million for Tzolis, but the Greek winger is not expected to be the club's final attacking addition this summer. Mikel Arteta remains determined to land another elite forward, with Rogers now emerging as the Gunners' priority target.

Arsenal are now readying an opening bid for Rogers following England's World Cup campaign.

The 23-year-old is viewed as an ideal fit for Arteta's system thanks to his ability to operate as a No.10, on either wing or in a deeper creative role.

Arsenal believe Rogers would add another dimension to an attack that has already been refreshed following Leandro Trossard's move to Besiktas and the imminent arrival of Tzolis.

The Gunners have also strengthened other areas of the squad this summer, with Illan Meslier arriving on a free transfer and Piero Hincapié's loan move from Bayer Leverkusen made permanent.

Convincing Aston Villa to sell Rogers is expected to be Arsenal's biggest challenge.

The England international enjoyed a sensational campaign last season, scoring 14 goals and providing 12 assists in 55 appearances while helping Villa win the Europa League and secure a top-four Premier League finish.

His performances earned him the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season award, and Villa rewarded him with a new contract until 2031.

Reports suggest Villa value Rogers at around £130 million, a figure that would comfortably surpass Arsenal's current transfer record.

Despite completing a deal for Tzolis, Arsenal have no intention of ending their summer business.

Football Place understands the Club Brugge winger is viewed as the replacement for Trossard rather than the marquee attacker Arteta wants to lead another Premier League title challenge.

Rogers remains at the top of Arsenal's shortlist, while Bruno Guimarães and Julián Álvarez are also admired by the club as Andrea Berta continues an ambitious recruitment drive.

Whether Arsenal are prepared to approach Villa's valuation remains to be seen, but the next phase of negotiations could become one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal are expected to submit their opening proposal once England's World Cup commitments conclude, although Aston Villa are unlikely to entertain offers unless they receive a bid close to their valuation. Negotiations could become one of the defining transfer sagas of the summer.

Should Arsenal break their transfer record to sign Morgan Rogers this summer?