Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick insists he has ‘no reason to believe’ that Morgan Rogers will leave this month despite an offers from Premier League challengers Aston Villa.
HITC Football has been informed that Aston Villa launched a bid to bring the talented former West Brom forward back to the Midlands last week, Morgan Rogers catching Unai Emery’s eye during the recent FA Cup clash at the Riverside.
Rogers, we understand, is keen on the move too. That is despite the fact he only joined Middlesbrough from Premier League champions Manchester City six months ago.
But, with the January window now entering it’s final stages, Villa are running out of time as they look to bring in the Dudley-born 21-year-old alongside their new Serbian right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic.
And, speaking after Rogers’ superb consolation during Tuesday’s 6-1 hammering by Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-final second-leg, Boro boss Michael Carrick sounded like a man expecting to still have the twinkle-toed attacker at his disposal by the time February rolls around.
Aston Villa knocked back in Morgan Rogers pursuit
“He’s our player at the minute,” the Manchester United icon tells the Northern Echo. “So, I have no reason to believe anything otherwise.”
According to reports, Middlesbrough are looking for around £10 million for Rogers. The former England under-21 international, who has seven goals for the North East outfit, would become the latest former West Brom whizzkid to end up wearing claret-and-blue if Aston Villa do get their man, following in the footsteps of Tim Iroegbunam, Louis Barry and more.
Versatile, technically gifted and brimming with potential, the right-footed Rogers has featured as an attacking midfielder, a winger and a centre-forward under Carrick. Like Nedeljkovic, he would not arrive at Villa Park as the finished article, but as a rough diamond for Emery to polish.
Middlesbrough hope to keep Carrick favourite
“(Rogers) creates, he’s dangerous. He is a huge talent,” Carrick said in December (Teessive Live). “He’s fantastic to work with, he wants to learn and get better all the time and is desperate to give what he can for the team, which is brilliant. He’s got a terrific attitude for the game and is showing his quality.
“There is definitely something there. Sometimes it can take a little time, especially for younger lads, learning a new game, a new environment and dealing with the expectations and performing with that on your shoulders. He’s really taken to it and starting to make a real difference.”
HITC Football understands that Aston Villa are likely to send Leander Dendoncker to Serie A champions Napoli before the month is out, but Iceland goalkeeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson looks set to slip through Emery’s fingers. Brentford are closing in on the Celtic-linked shot-stopper.
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