Why Arsenal could pivot to £116m winger instead of signing Rogers

A year ago, Arsenal needed to transform their forward line with the arrival of a clinical goalscorer. They ticked that box by welcoming Viktor Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.

Now, the challenge for Andrea Berta is to strengthen the flanks. The Gunners have put off signing a top-drawer wide player for too long now.

Morgan Rogers is the number one target and he would like to make the move to north London. However, negotiating a fee with a stubborn Aston Villa will be challenging.

After securing Champions League football for 2026/27, they have no desires to sell their prized asset. They are well within the rights to take that stance. As a result, Arsenal may need to look elsewhere.

Arsenal could sign mega-money Morgan Rogers alternative

Just how will the market be impacted by Elliot Anderson’s staggering £116m move to Manchester City? Well, the answer is massively.

City know what they are doing here. By paying so much for Anderson, they have essentially stopped their competitors from being able to afford a midfielder themselves.

Clubs across the Premier League are now set to use that £116m price tag as a negotiation tactic. Bournemouth have already priced Arsenal target Alex Scott at £80m while Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali is being valued at £100m amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Villa are now also looking at that transfer and seeing Rogers as a player who should be sold for more. Technically they are right. Rogers is a better player. However, their reported £130m asking price is just crazy.

Because of that, Berta and Co may need to assess their options, one of which is PSG’s Bradley Barcola.

Arsenal have taken a vested interest in the Frenchman’s situation in Paris this summer with the player so far yet to pen new terms on a deal that runs out in two years.

With Yan Diomande deciding he wants to move to the Parc de Princes, it could well have a positive knock on effect for the Gunners.

Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, while Liverpool have opened talks to sign the winger, Mikel Arteta’s men are also at the table to sign the Champions League winner.

Arsenal are said to be monitoring the forward’s situation in the French capital and are showing strong intent to prise him away from Luis Enrique’s clutches.

While it is noted that a £103m fee may well be enough to sign Barcola, David Ornstein of the Athletic has suggested the maximum asking price is all the way up at £116m.

How Barcola compares to Gabriel Martinelli

On Monday evening, Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench for Brazil and struck home a 96th minute winner to send Seleção into the last 16 of the World Cup.

In truth, it was a rare moment of quality from Martinelli over the last year. It was a joyous piece of play, of course it was, and one that will no doubt have raised a smile among Arsenal supporters.

However, this should not distract fans or even Arteta from the fact that the Gunners need to sign an upgrade.

On his day, the Brazilian is a real livewire. He’s got pace to burn and can beat a man. However, the fact of the matter is that he has not been good enough in recent times.

Sure, Arsenal won the title for the first time in 22 years but Martinelli only scored one league goal all season. He netted 11 in all competitions which isn’t a bad tally but seven of them came against the likes of Wigan, Portsmouth, Kairat Almaty, Olympiacos and Club Brugge; hardly world-class opposition.

It’s why Arteta and Berta are looking at Rogers. It’s why they are looking at Barcola. Celebrated as “one of the best wingers in the world” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, the latter would be a phenomenal signing.

Not only would the 23-year-old be bringing plenty of title-winning experience but just generally, he’d be a massive upgrade.

Last season, the PSG superstar scored 13 times and registered seven assists but with 2,971 minutes under his belt, he did play a lot less than in 2024/25 where he was truly electric.

During that campaign, Barcola netted 21 goals and also assisted 21 in 3,927 minutes played. He was utterly spellbinding on the flanks.

For context, Martinelli’s top-scoring season was back in 2022/23 when he found the net on 15 occasions. Other numbers help showcase the upgrade Arsenal could land here.

When comparing their respective league stats from last term, Barcola was far and away the better player. While they were dead level for successful dribbles per 90 minutes, the France international completed more progressive passes and carries. He was also more creative, producing a higher level of threat from open play for expected assists.

While Barcola may end up costing a similar amount to Rogers, negotiating with PSG would be easier than arranging a transfer with a Premier League rival.