Arsenal are believed to be leading the race for Rogers, who is currently representing England at the World Cup, but Aston Villa have no desire to sell and their asking price reflects both his value to the club and the financial reality of having to hand 20 per cent of any fee to Middlesbrough due to a sell-on clause inserted when Rogers joined in the 2024 winter transfer window.
The England international scored 14 goals last season as Villa won the Europa League — their first trophy in 30 years — and returned to the Champions League. Losing Rogers would undermine the momentum Unai Emery's side have built.
Arsenal's record signing remains Declan Rice, whom they signed from West Ham United for £105m. Paying £130m for Rogers would represent a significant step beyond that figure and set a new British transfer record, surpassing even Isak's move to Liverpool.
The valuation reflects Villa's awareness that Anderson's £116m City deal has set a new market benchmark for elite Premier League midfielders. Rogers is seen by Villa as a more valuable asset than Anderson, and their price has been set accordingly.
Whether Arsenal are prepared to go to £130m — and break their own transfer record by £25m — will determine whether this pursuit advances beyond the exploratory stage.
The Middlesbrough sell-on clause adds another layer to Villa's calculation. With 20 per cent of any fee heading back to the Championship club, Villa would effectively need to receive an even higher gross figure to net what they consider fair value for Rogers. That structural reality makes it even more expensive for Arsenal, who must factor in that a portion of their outlay indirectly benefits a rival club.
Rogers's World Cup involvement means any transfer is likely to remain on hold until after the tournament. His performances at international level will only further cement his standing as one of the most coveted attacking players in the Premier League this summer.