Aston Villa are now looking to replace Morgan Rogers with the £80m Golden Boot winner

Aston Villa are now eyeing a move for “amazing” Morgan Rogers, but they may have to break their transfer record to get a deal done.

Villa are preparing for the Europa League final

Villa will be hoping to end their 30-year wait for a major trophy tonight, when they take on SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul, and defeat to the German side would cap off what has been an excellent season.

Unai Emery’s side have already managed to finish in the top five, and thus return to the Champions League, with a 4-2 win against Liverpool getting them over the line, and Rogers once again played a starring role.

The attacking midfielder has been in the top ten in the Premier League this season, when he set up Ollie Watkins’ opener, and Emery will be hoping to do the same in tonight’s crucial game.

The 23-year-old has been putting himself in the window shop with his performances, attracting the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, which could make it difficult for the Villans to keep him after the end of the season.

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According to a report from Football Insider, Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Rogers, meaning Aston Villa may be forced to bring in a replacement this summer, and are now planning a move for Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves.

However, the Europa League finalists may have to top up their existing transfer record to do a deal, as the Portugal international has an £80m release clause in his contract.

Sports are open to bids, but there could be competition for Goncalves’ signature, with Liverpool also keen, after the Portuguese club’s impressive performances over the past few years.

The 27-year-old won the Liga Portugal Golden Boot in the 2020-21 season, honored with 23 goals, and has been a key player ever since, amassing 97 goals and 66 assists in 238 appearances.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the left winger, hailing him as “amazing” after Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the 2022-23 Europa League in the round of 16.

Like Rogers, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is also capable of playing a vital role, according to Ben Mattinson, who said: “Moving Gonçalves into the middle to play as an 8 at times last season was a masterstroke from Amorim. He was a top scorer and scorer and showed he was good at winning his duels. Arguably their most important player.”

Therefore, Goncalves could be the perfect replacement for Rogers, but Villa are in a strong negotiating position, with the Englishman under contract until 2031.

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